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TEAM PLAY IN DETAIL 



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BASEBALL 



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A STRAIGHT OVERHAND DELIVERY. 

I'ustrating the proper position for getting the full power of the back and arrn. 



BASEBALL 

INDIVIDUAL PLAY AND TEAM PLAY 
IN DETAIL 



BY 

W. J. CLARKE 

HEAD COACH OF THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BASEBALL TEAM 
AND 

FREDRICK T. DAWSON 

GENERAL ATHLETIC COACH, UNION COLLEGE 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 
AND DIAGRAMS 



NEW YORK 

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 

1915 



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Copyright, 1915, by 
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 



Published April, 1915 




m 14 1915 

©aA397553 



INTRODUCTION 

The present position of the game of baseball in 
the United States, the enthusiasm with which it is 
played, and the interest with which it is watched 
by the American people have made it very evi- 
dent that it would be valuable both to players and 
spectators to have easily available a book formu- 
lating what has been found to be the best way of 
playing the game. Although it is a sport which 
is most widely followed, yet comparatively few 
players, and fewer spectators, really understand 
it thoroughly. The reason for this will be appar- 
ent when one realizes that the leaders of the 
game, with a knowledge gained through years of 
experience and careful study, have, for the most 
part, reserved this knowledge for those imme- 
diately under their control, while the average 
player and spectator must be content to play and 
watch the game as best he can. 

A brief review of the development of the game 
will help to bring out the facts that have to do 
with the writing of this book. 

Baseball originated here in America in the sim- 
ple pastime of tossing, hitting, and catching a 



vi INTRODUCTION 

ball. At first two, then three, boys played the 
game. Gradually the number of players was in- 
creased; an infield and an outfield were formed; 
play became more complicated; and rules were 
drawn up. When the game had assumed definite 
form, its popularity spread throughout the coun- 
try; for here was a sport which was good fun — 
it including throwing, batting, running, and catch- 
ing under the most exciting of conditions; and 
eighteen men could take part in it at one time. 
Year after year the game was played with in- 
creasing interest — boys were playing it in their 
early teens, and continued to do so in manhood. 
In the meantime, after years of pure fun, men 
began to specialize in the game. They studied it, 
for they realized that, in addition to purely nat- 
ural physical skill, other things were necessary; 
and these were to be acquired only through ob- 
servation and practice. Pitchers, instead of being 
contented to throw a straight ball, began to 
curve it. Combination play — team-work — was 
developed. Men took advantage of knowledge 
gained through experience and began to diagnose 
plays ahead of time. 

Certain principles were deduced, laws were dis- 
covered, and years of experience produced a class 
of experts — men who were skilful in physical 
execution and keen in mental activity — skilful 



INTRODUCTION vii 

in handling the ball, in running the bases, and in 
batting; keen in observing and putting into effect 
the laws of probability. 

And from among these experts leaders were 
selected to manage the various clubs which were 
soon formed. It became the duty of these man- 
agers to determine the style of play to be followed 
by their respective teams and to teach the re- 
cruits the fine points of professional baseball. 
These fine points, subsequently known as "in- 
side baseball," acquired by the managers only 
after years of experience, were imparted to the 
chosen few; that is, to the members of the clubs. 
Amateur players and the general public were left 
to pick up baseball knowledge as they could — all 
the while considering the "inside baseball" of 
professionalism as something sacred and un- 
knowable. As a result, we have baseball played 
in two ways: one in which the players have not 
had the opportunity of learning the best methods 
of play; and the other, in which the players are 
all schooled by experienced masters of the game. 
One class of players is carried away by the thrill 
of bodily action and the excitement of contest, 
failing to bring their minds properly into the play. 
The other class of players, through experience 
and careful instruction, are made to bring all 
their faculties into play at all stages of the game. 



vili INTRODUCTION 

In the present work, the authors, after careful 
study based on personal experience, inquiry, and 
comparison, have formulated for the general pub- 
lic, including the amateur and professional player, 
the whole subject of baseball as it is played in the 
most advanced circles, namely, in the major 
leagues. 

In addition, chapters are included which should 
be of interest and value to spectators of the game 
and to college ball-players. 

w. J. c. 

F. T. D. 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Catcher i 

II. The Pitcher 20 

III. The First-Baseman 53 

IV. The Second-Baseman ...... 63 

V. The Short-Stop 80 

VI. The Third-Baseman 91 

VII. The Outfielder 102 

VIII. Batting 112 

IX. Base-Running 125 

X. Team Plays 146 

XL Hints to College Players .... 179 

XII. Hints to Spectators 186 

Diagrams 197 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

A Straight overhand dehvery Frontispiece ^ 

FACING PAGE 

The catcher receiving a low-thrown ball from the pitcher 2 
The pitcher delivering an underhand fast ball . . 30 * 
The out-curve 



32 
The drop-curve 



The out-drop 
The knuckle-ball 
The fast ball 



34 



The slow ball 36 

First-baseman's footwork 54 

Correct way of fielding a low-thrown ball (pick-up) 

at first 56 

Position of batter in preparing for close ball . . . 114 

Completion of a correct swing in hitting . . . . 118 

The fall-away slide < . 130 



THE CATCHER 
Receiving the Ball 

A catcher first of all should be a clean receiver; 
that is, he should be able to catch and hold any 
kind of a ball the pitcher may throw. Since it is 
the catcher who signals to the pitcher for the par- 
ticular kind of ball to be thrown, the catcher can 
always be ready to handle the ball cleanly. He 
should take his position behind the home-plate and 
as close to it as possible (just out of reach of the 
batter's club), with both feet squarely on the 
ground. (For battery signals see Team Plays 29.) 
The left foot should be slightly ahead of the right, 
as this position will shorten the step necessary for 
the catcher as he throws. Many catchers make 
the mistake of becoming rigid, and, with tightened 
muscles, fighting the ball, as it were. This atti- 
tude is decidedly the wrong one. The catcher 
should be the most alert man on the team, for 
he is allowed the least amount of time to change 
his position in receiving the ball; hence he should 
be free in every muscle. 



2 BASEBALL 

While receiving the low ball, the catcher should 
not squat, with the hands in an upright position; 
he should rather drop the hands (fingers down- 
ward). (See illustration.) But after catching a 
low ball he should not continue the downward 
course of the ball with the glove; the better way 
is to bring it up gracefully and easily. This up- 
ward motion will sometimes cause the ball to be 
called a strike, while if the hands went down it 
would be a ball. 

While giving signals and studying base-runners, 
the catcher should sit on his haunches; and when 
catching behind small batters, he should stay in 
the squatting position. This gives the pitcher 
a better mark at which to throw. If the ball 
approaches or touches the ground, it should be 
met with the broadside of the glove, naturally, 
since this presents the greatest surface; and low, 
ground balls should be smothered when it is not 
possible to play them cleanly. The catcher, in 
order to make certain of blocking ground balls, 
should, if possible, get his whole body in front of 
the ball — presenting the soHd front of feet, legs, 
glove, arms, and breast protector. A catcher 
should practise this play deliberately; should have 
a player throw balls into the dirt, that he may 
become accustomed to handling low ground balls 
from the pitcher. 



THE CATCHER 3 

It should be a firmly ingrained habit with the 
catcher never to drop the hall, neither in the most 
informal practice, nor in a game. Carelessness 
in practice brings about uncertainty of control 
in games. 

Catchers, hold the ball 1 and when catching and 
throwing the ball, keep the head up, and eyes 
ahead, avoid looking down at the ground while 
swinging the arm back prior to throwing. That 
quick glance at the ground before taking the 
step to throw was probably necessary when our 
grandfathers played in pastures where the footing 
was uncertain; but to-day we are reasonably 
certain of having firm, level ground beneath our 
feet; therefore, the eyes may be used entirely in 
following the play. With catchers and basemen 
the positions of the bases ought to be so firmly 
fixed in their minds' eye that conscious searching 
for them is unnecessary. 

Throwing 

In order to be of full value to a team, the catcher 
must be able to throw accurately with speed, and 
without delay. Instantaneous delivery of the 
ball is necessary when a man is stealing a base. 
But a speedy ball cannot make up for a delay 
in getting the ball oiF — the base-runner is either 
safe or out generally by the smallest fraction of 



4 BASEBALL 

a second; therefore any false motion on the part 
of the catcher after receiving the ball from the 
pitcher may allow the base-runner to steal a base. 
The catcher should catch the ball, shift his feet 
into the throwing posture, and draw back his arm 
simultaneously; then he should instantly send the 
ball on a line to the base. 

Returning the Ball to the Pitcher 

Return the ball so that it can be handled easily 
by him. Don't make him jump or stoop for the 
ball. On hot days work the pitcher slowly. It is 
very advisable for the catcher to get into the habit 
of returning the ball to the pitcher with a clean, 
sharp delivery. This kind of return keeps the 
pitcher alert, active, and "in the game." The 
ball should be thrown with the same motion that 
the catcher uses in throwing to a base; and the 
ball should be thrown high — at about the level 
of the pitcher's head. (This ball, therefore, with 
a little more speed, will be exactly the same as 
used in throwing to second base.) 

When There Is a Base-Runner on First Base 

The catcher, after receiving the ball from the 
pitcher, should glance at first base before begin- 
ning the forward motion of the arm in returning 
the ball to the pitcher. This action will assist 



THE CATCHER 5 

the catcher in preventing the runner from making 
the "delayed steal." (For definition of "delayed 
steal'' see Team Play 24.) 

Throwing to Bases 

The catcher should constantly practise assum- 
ing the throwing posture with great swiftness. 
His success as a thrower depends upon the rapidity 
with which he can catch and throw the ball, and 
proficiency in these acts can be obtained only by 
making this swiftness a habit through early and 
constant practice. 

During the early part of the season when base- 
running is being practised, the catcher should 
avail himself of every opportunity to throw to 
bases to catch runners. Practise throwing to 
bases with your mask and protector on, just as 
you do in a game. Too often catchers throw with 
these implements on only during a game — going 
through the practice without them; then when 
they do put them on, they cannot throw accurately 
and quickly. 

The catcher should not allow the batter to 
bother him, but should throw as freely as though 
there were no batter near him. If the batter 
interferes in any way with the catcher's throw- 
ing, the batter will be declared out. (In case the 
batter does interfere, it is well for the catcher to 



6 BASEBALL 

emphasize this interference, and call the umpire's 
attention to it.) 

It is only through this constant practice of 
throwing to catch runners (always having a bat- 
ter hitting at the ball), that a catcher can get con- 
fidence in himself; and this confidence will enable 
him to avoid calling for waste halls. (For definition 
of waste halls see Team Play 29.) When a catcher 
gets into the habit of calling for waste balls, he 
constantly gets his pitcher into difiiculty, merely 
to protect himself against having a base stolen. 
When a pitcher has wasted one or two balls on 
a batter, the batter has the decided advantage 
over the pitcher, and will, if he be an intelligent 
player, generally hit the next ball, knowing that 
the pitcher will try to get a strike over on him. 

This constant practice mentioned above, of 
throwing to catch base-runners, will enable the 
catcher to throw under all circumstances — ^which 
is one of the most valuable assets he can have. 

Throwing to First Base 

When the catcher has fielded a batted ball, he 
should throw to first base with an underhanded 
swing — without straightening up — always throw^ 
ing to the second-hase side of first at least four feet, 
to avoid hitting the runner. This also allows the 



THE CATCHER 7 

first-baseman to catch the ball without fear of col- 
lision with the runner. The catcher should try for 
all slow hit balls that are within his reach or that 
of the pitcher, and if he can get the ball should 
tell the pitcher so. His immediate start after 
the ball will help him to recover all balls within 
his reach; and if the ball is out of his reach, he 
will at least have done all in his power. The least 
hesitation on the part of the catcher to field a 
bunt or short hit is fatal; hence the necessity of 
getting the habit of trying for everything, "with 
the crack of the bat." The catcher, when the 
runner is forced at home, should touch home-base 
and quickly throw the ball to first base three or 
four feet to the left of the base. He should study 
the base-runners carefully before giving signals. 
This will often enable him to diagnose their in- 
tentions. There is a strong probability that if the 
batter intends to attempt a sacrifice bunt, the run- 
ner will take a long lead ofF first. (Read Team 
Play 19.) It is advisable occasionally, when the 
bunt is expected, to call for a waste ball and snap 
the ball to first base to try to catch the runner ofF 
the base. (Since the first-baseman will see the sig- 
nal for a waste ball, he will know what the play is 
to be and will cover first base to receive the ball.) 
The ball, on this play, should be thrown low, on 
the inside of the base if possible, thus allowing 



8 BASEBALL 

the baseman to put the ball directly on the foot 
of the runner as he slides back to the base. When 
there is a runner on first and second, the catcher 
can throw to first base to catch the runner (either 
using the waste ball or not); then, if the catcher 
thinks that the runner on second will go to third 
if the same play is again attempted, he can feint 
to throw to first, run into the diamond and trap 
the runner between second and third if he attempts 
to go to third. 

For plays in which to retire the runner on first 
base see Team Plays 17 and 18. 

When there is a left-handed batter up, the 
catcher, using the batter as a blind, can often 
slip the ball to first base and catch the runner off. 

Throwing to Second Base 

When there is a man on first base the catcher, 
as mentioned above, should study the base- 
runner. The catcher may often detect the 
runner's intention to steal second. Anxiety to get 
a good lead, nervousness in watching the pitcher, 
furtive glances at the coacher or the players' 
bench, any unusual action — these often indicate 
that the runner will steal. If these indications 
are strong enough to justify the sacrifice of a 
ball, the catcher should call for a waste ball; then. 



THE CATCHER 9 

if the base-runner is stealing, the catcher will have 
the ball high and wide from the pitcher, away from 
the batter in a good position to throw to second 
base. On this play, with a right-handed hitter up, 
the short-stop will receive the ball. The ball 
should be thrown slightly to the third-base side of 
second base. This will allow the short-stop to 
catch the ball while on the run without overstep- 
ping the base. The catcher, as he makes his throw, 
should not watch the runner but should keep his 
eye directly on second base. (First-baseman should 
call out: "There he goes.") When there are no pos- 
itive indications that the runner is about to steal 
second, the catcher will, of course, call for various 
kinds of balls; and whether the second-baseman 
or short-stop will receive the throw, if the runner 
steals second, depends upon what kind of a hall the 
'pitcher throws and whether the batter be a dead 
right or left field hitter. For instance: If, with a 
right-handed batter up, the catcher signals for a 
curve, the second-baseman will cover second; be- 
cause a curved ball, being slower than a straight 
one, will generally be hit to the left of the diamond 
— hence the necessity of the short-stop remaining 
in his position. If the catcher signals for a straight 
ball, the short-stop covers second base. In each 
case the reverse is true with a left-handed batter 
up. And the catcher should preferably throw the 



lo BASEBALL 

hall a few feet to that side of the base from which the 
man zvho will receive it is coming. 

If the base-runner on second base takes a very- 
big lead off the base, the catcher should occa- 
sionally throw the ball to second base. After 
doing this a few times in a game, if the runner 
persists in taking a long lead (and plans on going 
to third if the catcher throws to second), it is 
well for the catcher to feint to throw to second, 
and if the runner starts to third, to run into the 
diamond with the ball, feinting to throw first 
to third and then to second — thus getting the 
runner between the bases; and at the same 
time shortening the distance which he must 
finally throw to catch the runner. If the catcher 
were to throw to third when the runner starts for 
that base, it would be an easy matter for the 
runner to turn and go back to second; and if the 
catcher, from his position behind the plate, were 
to throw to second the runner could easily run 
to third. 

If there is a man on second, and none out, and 
the batter is expected to bunt (see Team Play 
19), the man on second may be caught frequently 
(since he is leading toward third), by caUing for a 
waste ball and snapping the ball to second. 



THE CATCHER it 

Throwing to Third Base 

A great deal of time should be spent in prac- 
tising the throw to third base, with the batter in 
his box and a runner going from second to third 
base. The throw should be low and on the in- 
side corner of the base. 

With a runner on first and third if the runner 
on first starts for second on the pitcher's delivery, 
play as follows: 

The catcher must either throw through to second 
(if the runner attempts to steal second) or make a 
feint to throw to second, and then throw to third. 
This feint (or bluff) must be made by using a 
motion identical with that with which the catcher 
throws to second — a weak attempt will be useless 
to draw the man off third base. (A catcher should 
practise this "bluflF" a great deal.) Occasionally 
a sharp return to the pitcher will be effective; 
he can either snap the ball to third or to second, 
or feint and throw to third. 

If a runner on third base is taking a big lead 
off the base, it is well to snap the ball to the 
third-baseman and try to catch the runner off the 
base. Sometimes in this play the waste ball may 
be called — this, however, depends upon how well 
the pitcher is working. Waste halls ought not to 
be called for if the pitcher is having difficulty with 
his control! 



12 BASEBALL 

The catcher should not allow base-runners to 
take big leads ofF the bases. Frequently, when 
three men are on bases, these men take big leads, 
assuming that the pitcher and catcher are too 
intent upon playing for the batter to pay any 
attention to them. It is just at this time, there- 
fore, that a cool-headed catcher can catch base- 
runners napping. The catcher should squat ap- 
parently to give his signal to his pitcher — but 
really to study the base-runners — give a waste 
ball signal (which, of course, the basemen get 
and are ready to cover the bases), and by a snap 
throw drive the ball to one of the bases. This 
will at least tend to make the runners a bit less 
free to lead ofF the bases. 

If a catcher has caught a man between third 
base and home, he should run the man back 
toward third. In fact, whenever an opposing 
base-runner is caught between bas^s, he should 
be driven on the dead run back to the base from 
which he came, and when he is ten or fifteen feet 
from that base, the ball should be snapped — not 
thrown easily — retiring the runner by a single 
throw if possible. It is rarely necessary to make 
more than one or two throws, unless it be to 
catch the opposing pitcher, who must be kept 
going as long as possible. If a runner who sees 
that he is out at home stops and runs up and 



THE CATCHER i^ 

down the line (to let the batter go to second), 
the catcher should run him back to third as fast 
as he can, snapping the ball to the third-baseman, 
who can put the man out, and then throw to 
second to retire the man trying to make that 
base. 

Fielding His Position 

The catcher should at all times be "on his toes," 
that is, swift to follow the ball either as it rolls into 
the diamond off the batsman's club, or is fouled 
into the air; instantly throwing off his mask as he 
goes after the ball. Having studied out beforehand 
where to throw the hall, if called upon to field it, he 
throws it without wasting time in figuring out the 
play. 

Before the game starts, the catcher should note 
the position of the sun and the direction of the 
wind (especially if there is a high wind). If the 
sun shines directly in his eyes, it is advisable to let 
the infielders handle high fly balls if they can, as 
they will have the sun at their backs. As high 
foul balls, going straight up in the air, are most 
puzzling to handle, it will be of great assistance to 
the catcher if he knows the direction of the wind, 
since he can then make allowances for that wind. 
By tossing a bit of grass or dust into the air or by 
looking at the flags, he can easily determine the 



14 BASEBALL 

direction of the wind. These high foul flies are 
especially hard to judge when the sky is very clear 
(a high sky). After the catcher takes his first 
look and locates the ball, he should drop his eyes 
momentarily to the ground (this will relieve the 
strain on the eyes); then upon the next upward 
look, since the ball will be well on its downward 
course, he can readily judge it. By gluing the eyes 
to the ball when it is high in the air, a catcher 
often finds himself going around in a circle — fre- 
quently misjudging the ball entirely. 

Practice and careful observation will soon en- 
able a catcher to tell by the sound of a foul whether 
it has gone into the air in such a way that it can 
be recovered by him. If there is only a slight 
ticky he will know that the ball has merely risen 
a Httle out of its original course, and will go almost 
on a line to the back-stop. But if there is a de- 
cidedly heavy crack, the chances are that it has 
gone nearly straight up; then he must sweep his 
mask off as he whirls to start after it, all the while 
looking up in search of the ball. Speed in whirHng, 
speed in throwing off the mask, and speed in getting 
started after the ball are all necessary to a good 
catcher. The pitcher can help his catcher in the 
matter of fouls — by yelling to him if the foul can^ 
not he caught. Otherwise the catcher should try 
for everything. 



THE CATCHER 15 

There are only two occasions when the catcher 
should leave his own position and go to hack up — 
(reinforce) another player. One occurs when, 
with a man on first base, the batter hits into a 
double play. The catcher, seeing what is about 
to happen, should run from his position to a point 
about 30 feet back of first base, in a direct line 
with the throw from second to first. On this play 
the catcher should start with the batter, and should 
run with all his speed obliquely to the point named. 
If the throw is bad, he can recover the ball and 
catch the runner as he rounds first base on his way 
to second. This play does not happen every day; 
yet many a game has been saved by the catcher 
taking this position. (See Diagram I, page 199.) 
The catcher should also back up first base when, 
with no runners on base, the second-baseman is 
fielding a ball where the throw must be made 
hurriedly. Here the chances of the ball being 
thrown badly are increased; therefore the catcher 
can be of use. 

Then, too, this quick start with the batter will 
help to keep the catcher's legs limbered up, since 
the stooping posture which the catcher assumes 
while giving signals tends to harden and stiffen 
the legs and muscles. 

When receiving the ball on throws from the out- 
field to prevent a man from scoring, the catcher 



i6 BASEBALL 

should station himself on the home-plate as a tar- 
get at which the fielder can throw. As the ball 
comes in, however, he should so place himself as 
to have his body in front of the ball (blocking it if 
necessary). Upon catching the ball, he should 
speedily meet the runner and tag him as far as pos- 
sible from the home-base, touching him with the 
ball in such a way that he cannot slide either 
around or under the ball. By waiting for the run- 
ner to come to the catcher (after he has the ball) 
the catcher often fails to put the man out. All 
thrown balls from the outfield that look as though 
they would land three or four feet in front of home- 
base should be reached for and caught before they 
bound (handled as a first-baseman catches his low 
throws) — thus avoiding the necessity of handling 
a very diifficult bound; then the catcher should 
whirl and put the ball on the runner. 

Working With His Pitcher 

The most valuable catcher is the one who will 
forget himself entirely and devote all his attention 
to easing the duties of his pitcher, and making him 
more efficient. For instance, if, when there is a 
runner on third base, the catcher knows that the 
batter cannot hit a drop-ball, he should call for 
that ball, no matter how hard it may be to catch. 

First of all, the catcher should study the batter. 



THE CATCHER 17 

He should try to diagnose from the batter's general 
attitude, step, swing, etc., just what kind of ball he 
will most Hkely not be able to hit. If the catcher 
is not at all famiHar with the batter's style, of 
course it is impossible to tell absolutely what he 
will do. But there are certain points about a bat- 
ter that quite generally indicate what kind of ball 
he likes. (Of course, there are some batters who 
hit almost any kind of a ball.) Now, if a batter 
pulls his front foot away from the base, and has a 
tendency to throw his body decidedly in the same 
direction, it is quite probable that he will hit an 
inside ball; therefore the catcher should call for 
balls on the outside corner of the base, as they will 
be most difficult for the batter to hit. If a batter 
stands close to his base and uses a long bat, it will 
be difficult for him to hit a close ball. A batter 
with a long bat standing away from the base gen- 
erally finds difficulty in hitting a wide drop-ball. 

After a batter has made a clean safe hit, the 
catcher should make a deliberate effort to remem- 
ber just what kind of a ball it was that the batter 
hit — and he should not call for that ball when the 
same batter comes up again — but should try him 
on something else. 

It does not require much observation to enable 
a catcher to discover into which field a batter hits 
naturally. And when the catcher has satisfied 



1 8 BASEBALL 

himself that a batter hits into a certain field, he 
should call for those balls which will tend to make 
the batter hit into the opposite field. For instance, 
if a right-handed batter hits naturally into left field, 
the catcher should make the pitcher keep the ball 
on the outside corner of the base, thus forcing the 
batter to hit into right field. It will be found that 
if this batter is forced to hit outside balls, he will 
not be able to hit as hard or well; and often he will 
be unable to hit at all. Of course, success in thus 
pitching to batters depends upon the pitcher's 
ability to give the catcher just the kind of ball 
called for. The catcher should get into the habit 
of requiring a definitely placed ball every time he 
signals; it must be either high or low and either 
close to the batter, or on the outside of the base; 
but rarely over the centre, waist-high, unless abso- 
lutely necessary. 

When there are men on bases and the ball is hit 
to the pitcher, the catcher should coach him where 
to throw the ball. On these plays, the catcher 
has everything in front of him, while the pitcher 
usually has his back to the base-runners. So, if 
the catcher calls out immediately to the pitcher, 
the latter can whirl and throw without any hesi- 
tation. 

It is advisable for a catcher always to have two 
gloves ready for use — in case something happens 



THE CATCHER 19 

to the glove he is using. While breaking in a new 
glove, he can use the new one when there are no 
runners on bases — laying the old one on the 
ground beside him to be used when the bases are 
occupied by runners. 

A catcher should see to it that his chest-pro- 
tector is pliable, not stiff or blown up hard. Stiff- 
ness in the protector impedes throwing and makes 
squatting uncomfortable. 



II 

THE PITCHER 

Little need be said of the relative value of a 
pitcher to his team. To any one who knows base- 
ball at all, this value is quite apparent. Other 
things being equal, the team with the best 
pitcher usually wins. And yet how few people 
know just what constitutes good pitching ! To 
the average spectator, a man seems to be a good 
pitcher if he has lots of speed and good curves. 
But to a close student of the game it becomes at 
once apparent that a first-class pitcher must have 
a fast ball (and generally a curve), a slow ball, 
and control. The last-named qualification is the 
vitally important one. 

Control 

And yet how few pitchers to-day can define 
the word control! The significance of the word 
pitcher to them is that he is one of nine men 
occupying a definite position in the game of base- 
ball. He works by prearranged signals with the 

catcher, who may — for illustration — use one finger 

20 



THE PITCHER 21 

for a fast ball and two fingers for a curve ball. 
We will grant that the pitcher has an abundance 
of speed and good curves; if the catcher signals 
for the fast ball, it is thrown, high or low, over 
the centre of the plate or wide — it does not seem 
to matter much to the pitcher — he has pitched a 
fast ball since it was called for. The same thing 
is often true of the curve ball. And the majority 
of pitchers to-day are satisfied to let it go at that ! 
How often one hears the remark, "He has every- 
thing in the box to-day; yet the opposing batters 
are hitting the ball all over the field," and again, 
*'He has a thousand-dollar arm and a five-cent 
head." 

These pitchers think that control means plac- 
ing every ball that they throw right over the 
heart of the base, waist-high. That is exactly 
what It does not mean. Strictly speaking, con- 
trol means that ability in a pitcher which enables 
him (after studying the batter) to throw that ball 
which the batter cannot hit safely — always plac- 
ing it either high or low (at the shoulders or knees) 
and either on the inside or outside corner of the 
base, avoiding the waist-high hall over the centre 
of the base. 

Study the batsman as he takes his position to 
hit. In delivering the fast ball, try to place it 
at what is the batter's weakest point. And in 



22 BASEBALL 

pitching the curve, try to break it low; that is 
the only safe and successful place to break it. 

How often the remark is heard that *'He hasn't 
a thing but a glove!" and yet this same pitcher 
may be a consistent winner. But study him 
well, and it will be found that he has two of 
the greatest assets — namely, brains and control: 
brains to note and remember a batter's weakness, 
and the control to pitch to it. 

The pitcher, on those days when he is not 
pitching, should study the batters from the bench. 
This will enable him to pick out the various bat- 
ters' weaknesses, and he can use the knowledge 
thus gained when he is in the box. While in the 
game, remember the balls which the various 
batters hit successfully — and try something else 
on them the next time they are at bat. If you 
find that during the game you are being hit freely, 
stop and try to "think out" what the trouble 
is; and the chances are you will find that you 
have been putting the ball over the middle of 
the base, breaking your curves high, or giving 
the batters just what they like. Stop and think! 
Do not become enraged and try to drive the ball 
past the batter's club, because "the faster they 
come, the farther they will go" (unless you 
mix a little brains with your speed). In these 
days when everybody has the art of curving 



THE PITCHER 23 

the ball the successful pitcher depends to a great 
extent upon a change of pace; that is, the alter- 
nating of fast balls with curves and slow balls. 
This change of pace will do more than anything 
else to prevent being hit freely. 

Early-Season Training 

As is true in the case of every ball player, the 
pitcher should begin his early-season training by 
getting his whole body into good condition. It 
is a grave mistake to think that all a pitcher has 
to do is to get his arm into shape to throw nine 
innings twice a week. Many a pitcher has weak- 
ened in the last part of the game, not because 
his arm was not powerful enough, but because 
the rest of his physique was exhausted; he had 
neglected the rest of his body while training the 
arm alone. Road-work, dumb-bells, handball, any- 
thing to bring all the muscles into play, regularly, 
and out-of-doors if possible, will give a man 
the right start in his training. And during the 
early-season work, the pitchers, when not in 
the box, should work hard to get their legs in 
good condition. To get good wind and endurance 
chase fly balls in the outfield. Practise fielding 
bunts ofF the side lines; this will help wonderfully 
in games — and the work will help to put you in 
sound condition. Another excellent exercise is 



24 BASEBALL 

that of batting fly balls to the outfield; swinging 
the bat will strengthen the arms and the back 
muscles. In order to pitch a long, hard game, 
your whole body will be called upon to reinforce 
your arm, and you will be called upon to hit and 
run bases like any other player; so prepare your- 
self by careful training. 

Getting Control and Caring for the Arm 

The importance of control has been empha- 
sized above; we shall now deal with the methods 
of acquiring it. Some pitchers have no difficulty 
with control; it comes to them naturally, just 
as batting comes naturally to some players. But 
most pitchers are not so fortunate; they acquire 
control only after long practice. If you are one 
of the less fortunate, work to get your eye and 
muscles so trained that perfect co-ordination fol- 
lows; in other words, so that you can control the 
ball. If necessary, pitch to a mark on a piece 
of canvas, or an old mattress set up against the 
wall. Make Hnes on the mattress (or canvas) at 
the height of a batter's knees and shoulders — put 
up sticks or boards six inches from each side of 
the base to indicate the batter's position. Then 
throw with the deliberate intention of placing the 
ball at a definite spot. Some managers advocate 
pitching to a dummy of the average batter's size. 



THE PITCHER 25 

Take a half-dozen balls and deliver them at the 
mark one after another; walk after them, return 
to your position and pitch again — the walk will 
limber you up. Repeat this for half an hour, day 
after day, and the result will be generally quite 
gratifying. Of course, if it is possible to have 
somebody catch for you, so much the better. 

It is imperative, however, that the season be 
started with easy, slow, graceful throwing move- 
ments. Increase the speed day by day — learn- 
ing to keep the fast ball high or low — at the 
shoulder or knee. 

Develop the overhanded motion as much as 
possible with the long, swinging motion of the 
arm; follow the forward motion of the arm with 
the body, leaning forward as you throw. Bring 
the back into play as much as possible; this will 
increase your speed and decrease the strain on 
your arm. (See frontispiece.) Avoid using the 
short, jerky elbow motion in delivering the ball. 
Always remember to throw the hall at some particular 
spot, either high or low, on the inside or outside 
corner. The corners count as much as across the 
middle, and these balls are hard to hit safely. 

A week's practice on the fast ball will strengthen 
the arm sufficiently to allow gradual work on the 
curve. Do not throw the curved ball until the 
arm has been made perfectly strong by the use 



26 BASEBALL 

of speed (straight balls). Many pitchers have 
ruined their arms by beginning to throw curves 
before their arms were strong. The arm may 
feel strong very early in the season, but it really 
is not; the muscles are tender and are easily 
strained — especially by throwing curves. Right 
here applies the old saying that "A man is weak- 
est when at his strongest." Begin by throwing 
the curve slowly; then increase the speed day by 
day — never losing sight of the fact that every 
ball delivered must be over some part of the base. 

To get the right control, pitch to batters in 
their position as much as your arm will permit. 

Pitchers who are working for control, especially 
young players just starting out, should never 
try to pitch when the arm feels tired, "dead," 
or heavy. Light work during the early spring 
(or late winter) with dumb-bells and pulleys will 
strengthen the arms and back. However, a 
great deal of this kind of work is not advisable, 
because a pitcher does not need a large, muscular 
arm; such arms are usually somewhat muscle- 
bound, lacking in flexibleness and snap qualities 
very essential to the pitcher's arm. Probably one 
of the surest indications of the condition of the 
arm is the weight that the ball seems to have. If 
it feels light — and your arm responds readily — 
usually your arm is in good condition to pitch. 



THE PITCHER 27 

But if the ball feels heavy, and it is only with an 
effort that you can swing your arm, then be care- 
ful. It is an easy matter to make the arm sore; 
and as the pitcher's arm is his greatest asset, ex- 
treme care is necessary to avoid injuring it. The 
old policy of "pitching out" a soreness is a dan- 
gerous experiment to try, as the affected parts 
are usually aggravated all the more by forced 
exercise. 

Warming Up 

Be sure to have your arm (and body too) warm 
before beginning to pitch hard. Start the pre- 
liminary throwing slowly, and increase the speed 
gradually until the required warmth is produced. 
Fifteen minutes is a safe time limit to place on 
the warming-up before a game; the last four or 
five minutes should be spent in throwing the ball 
as hard as you intend to in the game. How often 
have games been won and lost in the opening in- 
nings before the pitcher was well warmed up ! 
The pitcher *'hits his stride" toward the last of 
the game — but it is then too late. To go into the 
game properly warmed up means to pitch the 
best ball from the very beginning. Always keep 
the arm and body well covered — a good woollen 
shirt is desirable. (It is advisable to have a dry 
shirt handy, to which you can change if it is 
necessary to remain on the field.) 



28 BASEBALL 

Rubbing the Arm 

If the arm feels fresh and strong and is without 
pain or heaviness, stay away from the "rubber." 
It is a bad thing to get into the habit of having 
the arm rubbed constantly. (Some masseurs 
rub the life all out of the arm.) Continued ap- 
plication of liniments to the arm produces what 
is known as the "medicine arm" — that is, one 
which depends upon the stimulating effects of 
the "rub"; in this case the muscles lose their 
natural life and demand artificial vigor. Need- 
less to say, such arms soon become flabby and 
useless as pitching organs. 

The tired, overworked, or strained arm needs 
first of all — rest! There are numerous remedies 
for sore arms — every trainer has a different one. 
They are all surface effects; no liniment reaches 
the sore spot — yet any counter-irritant will help 
to draw the soreness out. A liberal application 
of hot towels is as good as anything. If the arm 
feels heavy and "dead," especially if there is 
pain, rest it for a few days — don't throw at all; 
for in doing so you are likely to ruin it. After 
four or five days of rest, begin to throw gradually; 
and if there is no pain, and the arm has regained 
its vigor, then work carefully to prepare your- 
self to pitch. It is well, however, during this 



THE PITCHER 29 

rest, not to remain absolutely idle — the exercise 
gained in chasing balls is conducive to keeping 
in good physical condition (being careful not to 
strain the arm while returning the balls). 

The Waste Ball 

There are times when it is absolutely necessary 
for the catcher to receive the ball beyond the 
reach of the batter and at a height from which 
it is easy to throw. This ball is called the waste 
ball, because it is virtually wasted on the batter. 

The pitcher should develop the ability to 
throw this ball whenever the catcher calls for it. 
It should be thrown high and outside of the base 
away from the batter — so that he cannot hit it. 
It is pretty certain that when the waste-ball sig- 
nal is given, some position will be left uncovered; 
therefore do all in your power to perfect the play 
which your catcher has planned. Nothing is 
more disheartening to a fielder than to have a ball 
hit through his position, which he has left in order 
to complete some signal play. 

Holding and Throwing the Ball 

The pitcher should hold and deliver all balls as 
nearly alike as possible to prevent the batter 
from diagnosing the delivery. For instance, if 
the pitcher delivers the fast ball with an over- 



30 BASEBALL 

hand motion, he should throw his curve and slow 
ball the same way. If he uses the overhand 
delivery for his fast ball, and a side-arm motion 
for the curve, it won't take an opposing team long 
to find it out; and then they can always tell 
ahead of time just what to expect. 

The Fast Ball 

In delivering the fast ball, grasp it firmly with 
the first two fingers and the thumb and let it 
go off the tip of the fingers. Some pitchers get 
the best results by placing the two fingers along 
the seams, each finger on a seam (where they are 
closest together, see illustration facing page 34); 
others place the two fingers across the seams; while 
others have success by grasping it with the fingers 
and thumb in almost any position. A pitcher 
should try these different methods and adopt the 
one that gives him the best results. Start this 
ball and deliver it either in the manner shown in 
illustration opposite or in the frontispiece. When 
delivered with a motion that is between straight 
overhand and side-arm, this ball, with all the 
power of arm and back behind it, will break a 
little (that is, when thrown by a right-handed 
pitcher to a right-handed batter, the ball bores in 
toward the batter). If the required speed is pres- 
ent, the ball will seem to hop or rise. 




THE PITCHER DELIVERING AN UNDERHAND FAST BALL. 



THE PITCHER 31 

Keep this fast ball shoulder-high and as near 
the corners of the plate as possible, never cut- 
ting the centre of the plate unless compelled to; 
occasionally throwing it low — at the batter's knees. 
This low fast ball is very effective when alternated 
with the low drop-ball— using the same general de- 
livery in each case. A pitcher who has a good fast 
ball which he can control is not compelled to 
throw many curves — only enough to unsettle the 
batter by letting him know that he has a variety. 

The Out-Curve 
The preliminary motions of throwing the out- 
curve are the same as those of throwing the fast 
ball — the grip on the ball, the wind-up, and the 
back movement are identical in each case. But 
instead of letting the ball go off the tips of the 
fingers, as is done when throwing the fast ball, 
the out-curve is produced by a twist of the wrist 
bringing the hand across in front of the body 
nearly horizontally, with the back of the hand 
downward, spinning the ball with nearly a vertical 
axis, letting it go out between the thumb and the 
side of the index-finger. (See illustration facing 
page 32.) 

The Drop-Curve 
The preliminary motions of throwing this ball 
should be the same as those of throwing the fast 



32 BASEBALL 

ball and out-curve. There are two methods of 
producing this curve. 

One is the following: The ball is sent spinning 
with a horizontal axis by a twist of the wrist, 
bringing the hand directly downward — the back 
of the hand vertical — letting the ball go out be- 
tween the thumb and side of the index-finger. 
(See illustration A facing this page.) 

Another method of throwing the drop-curve is 
that of twisting the wrist and bringing the hand 
directly downward with the palm up, letting the 
ball go out between the tips of the fingers and 
thumb, with a snap of the wrist. (See illustra- 
tion B facing this page.) 

The Out-Drop 

Use the same preliminary motions as in throw- 
ing the fast ball. 

This curve should be thrown the same as the 
out-curve, except that instead of bringing the hand 
across in front horizontally, it should be swept 
diagonally outward and downward. (See illus- 
tration facing page 34.) 

The Change of Pace 

All curve balls should not be thrown with the 
same speed. It is very effective to throw curves 
(especially drop-curves) occasionally with very 




B. THE DROP-CURVE. 



THE PITCHER 33 

little power behind them, thus producing a slow 
curve — or what is known as a change of face. This 
also is true of the straight ball. 

The Slow Ball 

This ball should be thrown with identically the 
same motion as the fast ball, the only difference 
being in the way the ball is held. There are 
several methods of producing the slow ball, among 
which the following are most common. (It is ad- 
visable to experiment with these various methods, 
and to adopt one only after being convinced that 
it will produce the best results.) 

{a) Grasp the ball with the first two fingers and 
the thumb, pushing the ball well back into the 
hand against the base of the fingers and thumb. 
Then, in throwing the ball, remove the ends of the 
fingers from the ball, grasping it with the thumb 
and last joints of the fingers. 

{h) Deliver the ball held by the thumb and last 
two fingers, removing the first two fingers entirely 
from the ball upon delivering it. 

{c) Deliver the ball held in the palm of the hand 
by the thumb and little finger — the three middle 
fingers entirely removed from the ball. (See illus- 
trations A, B, and C, facing page 36.) 

In throwing the slow ball, the pitcher should 
avoid making a slow motion; the motion should 



34 BASEBALL 

be as rapid and vigorous as though producing the 
fast or curved balL It is only in this way that the 
ball can be made deceptive. 

The Knuckle Ball 

Hold the ball in the palm of the hand, grasped by 
the thumb and last two fingers, with the first two 
fingers bent in, pressing the knuckles against the 
ball. (See illustration facing this page.) Some 
pitchers press the knuckles of the three middle 
fingers against the ball. 

The knuckle ball is curious in that it combines 
the eflPects of the slow ball with the drop-curve 
and the moist ball. 

It is, however, a difficult ball to control, having 
been mastered by but few pitchers. 

The Moist Ball (Spit-Ball) 

Hold the ball just as it is held when throwing 
the fast ball, except that the fingers must rest on 
a smooth part of the cover (avoiding the seams) 
— the thumb preferably across the seams. The 
cover of the ball should be moistened with saliva 
under the ends of the first two fingers. 

In order to obtain the best results, this ball 
should be thrown with considerable speed, just 
as the fast ball is thrown. 




THE FAST BALL. 



II 



THE PITCHER 35 

Fielding the Position 

The pitcher, after he has thrown the ball to the 
batter, should at once become an infielder — and 
he can be a very important one. But before he 
does deliver the ball, he should plan what to do 
with the ball if it is hit to him. He should get 
into the habit of covering first base, home-base, 
and third base; and also of backing up these 
bases when it is necessary. 

Whenever the pitcher has fielded a ball and is 
to throw to a base, unless the throw be a short 
one, he should not delay, or throw the ball 
slowly — a quick, true throw is the safest way to 
retire the runner. 

Few conditions are more fatal to a ball team 
than that of having weak fielding pitchers. Once 
let the opponents know that the "slabman" can't 
handle batted balls, and immediately a shower 
of bunts will follow. 

A great deal of practice should be put on han- 
dling batted balls of all kinds. And the most 
practical work can be done by having men hunt 
and then run to first. In this way the pitcher 
becomes accustomed to throwing on the inside 
of the base-line away from the path of the runner; 
he also gains practice in gauging the time of the 
throw. 



36 BASEBALL 

All bunts should be picked up and thrown 
with an underhanded motion. Straightening up 
to throw wastes too much time. Practise fielding 
bunts on both sides of the diamond. Start after 
a bunt at the crack of the bat — pick it up, one hand 
if necessary, and snap it to first without straighten- 
ing up — do not use any long swing with this motion. 
Practise the underhand throw to first. On bunts 
between the pitcher and third-baseman which 
the third-baseman gets, the pitcher should cover 
third base and be ready to receive the ball in 
case the runner is coming from first to third, on 
the play. 

When a bunted ball rolls between the pitcher 
and the catcher, if the ball can be handled better 
by the pitcher, he should call out "Mine" ! The 
catcher should do the same if he can field the ball. 
This calling out prevents coUisions. 

When the ball is hit to the first-base side of 
the diamond, if the ball is not within the pitcher's 
reach, he should always cover first base. (He is 
really an assistant first-baseman.) Very fre- 
quently the pitcher will have to cover first base 
with such speed that he cannot stop at the base 
but will have to overrun it. When running at 
top speed, it is difficult to catch the ball, touch 
the base, and avoid the runner all at once; there- 
fore a great deal of practice should be put in on 




B. First two fingers off the ball. 




C. First three fingers off the ball. 
THE SLOW BALL. 



THE PITCHER 37 

covering first and receiving the ball from the 
infielders. The fact that the pitcher will cover 
first base allows the first-baseman to cover a great 
deal of ground. On bunts between pitcher and 
first-baseman both players should be sure that 
either one or the other gets the ball, the other one 
covering. In this play if the pitcher gets the ball, 
he can either make the put-out himself, or toss 
the ball to whoever is covering first base — either 
the second-baseman or first-baseman. If the 
pitcher is unable to get the bunted ball, he should 
continue toward first base, to be ready to cover 
that base if it is necessary. 

In fielding the ball to a base (with men on bases) 
the pitcher should always listen to his catcher, 
who will coach him where to throw the ball; this 
practice saves the pitcher the work of deciding the 
play himself— and of course makes it fast. 

When, with second base occupied by a runner, 
the ball is hit safely to the outfield, and the ball 
is being thrown home to catch the man who is 
scoring from second, the pitcher should get in line 
with the throw at a point about thirty feet in 
front of the catcher. (For other methods of mak- 
ing this play see Diagrams II and III, pages 199 
and 200.) Then if the catcher sees that he cannot 
handle the ball in time to retire the runner, he 
should call to the pitcher to intercept it; where- 



38 ' BASEBALL 

upon the pitcher catches it and throws to second 
— retiring the base-runner there, i. e., the batsman 
who will be running to second on the throw to 
the plate. (As to when to play when ball is hit 
past the outfielders see Diagrams IV, V, VI, and 
VIII, pages 200, 201, and 202.) 

After a hit to an infielder, it is unnecessary to 
cross the line between the runner and first base. 
The pitcher in so doing merely uses up energy 
that should be reserved for pitching. If the ball 
is thrown poorly, the first-baseman will get it 
almost as quickly as the pitcher can. Indeed, in 
crossing the line, the pitcher is increasing the 
runner's chances of reaching first base; for if the 
pitcher blocks the runner in any way, the runner 
is entitled to first base. The runner knows, or 
should know, this, and is probably making every 
effort to come in contact with the pitcher. 

The pitcher should cover home-base on all plays 
that take the catcher away from his position — 
such as foul flies, wild pitches, etc. (See also 
Diagram VIII, page 202.) 

On short foul flies, the pitcher should coach 
his catcher; a sharp word of direction here will 
often help the catcher to find the ball. 

The pitcher should back up third base on long 
hits (especially right-field hits) — not ten feet 
behind the base, where the ball can bound off 



THE PITCHER 39 

the baseman's glove over the pitcher's head, but 
fifty feet behind him, so as to be able to cover 
ground to the right or left. 

The pitcher should never find himself standing 
in the middle of the diamond doing nothing while 
a play is going on; rather back up some place — 
give directions, or cover a base — be useful ' 

Working with His Catcher 

A young pitcher should rely upon the judgment 
of his catcher in the matter of kind of balls to 
throw, especially if the catcher is one of expe- 
rience and has knowledge of the batters' weak- 
nesses. But when the pitcher has had an equal 
amount of experience, it is a good plan for him 
at times to use his own judgment, since he knows 
better than any one else the condition of his arm, 
and what control he has of certain balls. Instead 
of shaking his head when he disagrees with the 
catcher, the pitcher should have some other sign 
whereby he can tell his catcher to call another 
ball: such as rubbing his shirt or tossing the ball 
up in the air. It is a good plan to talk things over 
frequently with the catcher; make note of the 
batters — their strong and weak points, etc. 

Two heads are better than one; therefore think 
with your catcher! 



40 BASEBALL 



The Pitcher's Motion 

When there is no one on base, the pitcher can use 
a slow motion of the arm before throwing the balL 
He should acquire a long, continuous motion of the 
arm, bringing the back into play by leaning as far 
forward as possible in delivering the ball. The 
motion may be started as slowly as desired, but 
when the arm starts finally upward and forward, 
its motion should be accelerated, giving snap and 
vim to the delivery — letting the ball go when the 
body and arm are extended as far as possible to- 
ward the batter. 

Avoid using, regularly, any jerky, half-continu- 
ous motions — as they are hard on the arm. Spare 
the elbow as much as is possible — that is, make 
your regular pitching motion with a full-arm 
swing, rather than a bent-arm snap. 

When a base-runner is Hable to steal, all wind-up 
motions should be discontinued — all preliminary 
motions used regularly in throwing to the batter 
must be stopped. Face the batter and extend the 
left foot if you are right-handed; if you are left- 
handed extend the right. In this position you will 
be ready to dehver the ball to the batter with 
the least possible loss of time. Very frequently 
catchers are blamed for allowing men to steal bases, 



THE PITCHER 41 

when in reality it is the pitcher's fault, since he 
was slow in making his deHvery. 

Throwing to Bases 

One of the tests of a good pitcher is the way he 
keeps the runners close to the bases. Pitchers 
should put a great deal of time in practising the 
act of holding base-runners close to their bases. 
It is a very common thing to see pitchers lose all 
control of the ball when there are men on bases. 
This is due almost entirely to the fact that the 
pitchers cannot use their long preliminary mo- 
tion before throwing. It is a good plan in the 
early-spring play to practise on imaginary runners 
while pitching to batters. Look at the runner 
and then make the hurried delivery to the batter. 
Constant work at this will enable the pitcher to 
keep his control, speed, and curves. 

To prevent having bases stolen on you, avoid 
all preliminary (unconscious) motions, such as 
shifting the feet, dropping or raising the shoulders, 
bending the knees, or twitching the hips, unless 
you take advantage of them to help you in hold- 
ing base-runners close to their bases. In other 
words, do not get into the habit of working auto- 
matically; e. g.y hunching the shoulder every time 
before throwing to the batter, and using another 
motion regularly before throwing to a base. If you 



42 BASEBALL 

hunch your shoulder regularly, before throwing 
to the batter, hunch your shoulder occasionally 
and then throw to a base. (This is taking ad- 
vantage of any peculiarity of motion that you may 
have.) Do everything possible to prevent the 
base-runner from getting a running start on you. 
If you can perfect a deceptive dehvery, do so. If 
the runner has a big lead off first, toss a few slow 
ones over to get him; then whirl and with all pos- 
sible speed snap the ball low and on the inside cor- 
ner of the base. Avoid throwing to first base 
unnecessarily. Base-runners often tire the pitcher 
by playing off so far that many throws are made 
to catch them— obtaining base on balls for the 
batter. In fact, the chief reason for throwing to 
first is not to catch the runner off the base but to 
hold him on, often outguessing him when he is 
about to steal. 

When the batter has one ball and no strike, 
two balls and no strike, three balls and one or two 
strikes, then the pitcher should throw to first base. 
For in these conditions the pitcher is at a disadvan- 
tage {is in the hole), and the runner may be get- 
ting a start on a clean steal, or the hit-and-run 
play. (See Team Play 22.) So try to catch him 
leaning toward second. (Nine times out of ten 
the base-runner, if he has the hit-and-run signal, 
or intends to steal, will be "hunching" toward 



THE PITCHER 43 

second.) Practise watching the runner out of the 
corner of your eye. This will often help in de- 
ciding whether the throw to first is necessary. 

In throwing to first base, a right-handed pitcher 
can use a signal with his third-baseman. 

Runner on First Base 

When nobody is out and there is a man on 
first base, if the pitcher expects the batter to 
bunt, he should throw that ball which is hardest 
to bunt, namely, the high, fast ball; then he should 
be ready to field the ball and throw it either to 
first or second, according to the catcher's direc- 
tions. 

When there is a man on first base and one out, 
the pitcher should be ready for a clean steal — or 
the "hit-and-run" play. 

Man on Second 

The pitcher can hold the runner close to second 
base by working with a signal from his catcher — 
whereby the catcher signals to the baseman and 
pitcher at the same time, the latter turning and 
making the throw to second without first looking. 
(See Team Play 14.) Or he may work with his 
short-stop or second-baseman — using, as signal to 
throw, a nod of the head, closing of the hand, 
or some other simple movement. 



44 BASEBALL 

It takes time to perfect this sudden turn and 
throw to second base; therefore the pitcher should 
practise it constantly until he is master of it: a 
right-handed pitcher should turn to the left — a 
left-handed pitcher to the right. He should not 
throw directly at the base, but a foot to that side 
of it nearest the baseman. This will give the 
baseman time to catch the ball and retire the run- 
ner without overrunning the base. For instance, 
if the short-stop is covering, the pitcher should 
throw the ball to the left-field side of second base 
— and vice versa if the second-baseman is cover- 
ing — i. e.y on the right-field side of second base. 
This play will catch many a runner napping. 

Whenever the short-stop bluffs the base-run- 
ner back toward second (without any signal for 
a throw from the pitcher), the pitcher should be 
ready to make his delivery to the batter. For 
when the short-stop starts for second, the runner 
will do the same, and. if the pitcher delivers the 
ball to the batter, the runner will be headed back 
to second — thus being prevented from stealing, 
and slowed up on scoring in case of a hit. 

When there is a man on second — and none out — 
if the pitcher expects a bunt, occasionally, as 
the short-stop runs the man back to second, he 
can put the ball right over the base, that it may 
be bunted — and then he can run in, get the ball, 



THE PITCHER 45 

and retire the man at third — ^working with the 
first-baseman, who also comes in. 

Since the pitcher is allowed to make motions 
to second without throwing the ball there, it is 
a good plan to develop some slight motion toward 
second to drive the runner back to that base 
before deHvering the ball to the batter. This 
motion need be nothing more than a quick look 
at second while drawing the arm back to throw 
to the batter. 

When there is a man on second — the pitcher 
should help the third-baseman by going sharply 
after balls to the right — and retiring the man at 
third. Otherwise, if the third-baseman has to 
field them, third base is generally left unprotected 
and the runner reaches there safely from second. 

Runner on Second 

When there is a man on second base and the 
ball is hit sharply to you, there are three ways in 
which you can play the man on second. One is 
to drive him back to second by a quick motion — 
then whirling and throwing the batter out at first. 
Another play occurs when, as you turn toward 
second, the runner stops between second and 
third — ^your play here is to run directly toward 
him — preferably driving him back toward second 
and making the "put-out" there. The other 



46 BASEBALL 

play is to throw to third if the runner attempts 
to go to that base when the ball is hit to you. 

Always remember what bases are occupied and hy 
whom, and how many are out ! 

Runner on Third 

One or none out. When there is a man on 
third — and the ball is hit sharply to you — ^you 
should retire the runner on third when it is possi- 
ble, or drive him back to third before throwing 
the batter out at first. 

Runner on First and Third 

If the man on first starts for second on your 
delivery, be prepared to receive the ball from the 
catcher. If he does throw the ball at you, catch 
it — and be ready to throw it home instantly (if 
the runner is scoring); or if you can't play the 
man on third — ^whirl and throw to second; fre- 
quently you can catch the man coming from 
first. This play to be successful demands in- 
stantaneous action — and accurate and speedy 
throwing. (A great deal of practice is necessary 
before the average pitcher can handle this fast 
ball and make the play correctly.) 

Runner on First and Third 

If, while you have the ball in your hand, the 
man on first starts for second, whirl immediately. 



THE PITCHER 47 

turning toward third base, and noting what the 
runner there is doing. He may be starting for 
home as the runner leaves first — or he may be 
playing off the base ready to go home as you 
throw to second. So drive the man back to 
third, and snap the ball to second. If you can 
catch the runner off third, do so. 

Breaking up the Squeeze Play 

Runner on third. {Second and third — or first, 
second, and third.) In any of these positions 
the pitcher should watch for an attempted 
"squeeze play" and be prepared to break it up. 
(See Team Play 23.) In order to do this, take 
your wind-up motion slowly — all the while watch- 
ing the runner on third base. Often he will start 
for home before you have begun the final motion 
in delivering the ball. In this case, if the fast ball 
is called, you can either throw the ball high and 
wide (out of the batter's reach) or directly over 
the batter's head. In the former case, he will 
usually be unable to bunt safely; in the latter, he 
will think only of getting out of the way of the 
ball. If the curve is called, break it wide — out of 
the batter's reach. ' 



48 BASEBALL 

A Few General Pitching Hints 

The most successful curve is the out-drop, be- 
cause it curves outward and downward; and 
therefore is difficult to hit squarely. 

The slow ball is something every pitcher should 
have if he would be successful. Nothing worries 
a good batter so much as to face a pitcher who 
is known to have a good slow ball to mix with his 
fast one. Remember, however, to use the slow 
ball very seldom against a weak hitter; it is the 
good hitter against whom it works most suc- 
cessfully. 

The slow ball is the most difficult of all deliv- 
eries to master, but its effectiveness is well worth 
any amount of time spent on it. This ball is 
most difficult to hit when thrown across the base 
in the neighborhood of the batter's knees; then 
there is a tendency for the batter to hit on top of 
it, driving it weakly on the ground. It is only 
after a careful study of the batters that the pitcher 
can know when to use the slow ball. Usually 
batters who take long swings at the ball have diffi- 
culty in hitting it. 

Pitching, from beginning to end, involves the 
pitcher and the batter in a battle of wits. The 
pitcher should so vary the kind of balls he throws 
that the batter cannot guess successfully what is 



THE PITCHER 49 

coming. A thoughtful batter, knowing that the 
pitcher has a good assortment, will generally ex- 
pect different kinds of balls to be thrown. The 
pitcher, therefore, may at times throw three fast 
balls or three curves in succession; thereby out- 
witting the batter. Or he may use other com- 
binations; such as an alternation of fast ball 
and curve; or two fast balls and a slow ball; or 
two curves and a fast ball; or two curves and a 
slow ball — anything to prevent the batters from 
discovering regularity in the pitcher's delivery. 

A good pitcher will always try to put the batter 
"in the hole"; that is, at the disadvantage of hav- 
ing more strikes than balls against him. Then 
the pitcher can afford to make the batter hit at 
balls that are not good. Here again, however, 
the pitcher may outwit the batter by throwing a 
perfectly good strike when the latter is expect- 
ing a curve or other ball away from the plate. 
This is called "slipping one over." 

Do not be afraid to give a batter four balls, if 
by doing so (without forcing in a run) 3^ou can get 
rid of a good hitter to bring up a poor one. In 
fact, this is sometimes the best thing to do, if the 
batter has the advantage in balls and strikes, when 
the man who would make the winning run is on 
second or third. In this case, make the batter 
hit a bad ball, or give him a base on balls; then 



so BASEBALL 

work hard to get the advantage over the next 
batter, preventing him from hitting safely. 

If you find that you are having trouble con- 
trolHng the ball from your regular place on the 
rubber, shift your feet a little to either side. This 
may help you to regain your control. 

If your fast ball persists in carrying in close to 
the batter, move your catcher out a bit. 

The moist ball (or spit-ball) is one of the late 
innovations into the game, and has helped to in- 
sure many a pitcher who is without a good curve 
ball his position on the team. Many pitchers 
use this ball, but few of them rank as first class. 
If you are fortunate enough to possess speed and 
good curves, avoid using the moist ball, as it is 
very hard on the arm (and the majority of clubs 
prefer the other class of pitchers). 

Work especially hard to retire the first batter 
every inning. 

Remember what bases are occupied by runners, 
and who these runners are — ^whether they are 
fast or slow. This will help you in deciding where 
to play the ball if it is hit to you. 

Do not get yourself into difficulty by throwing 
balls to the batter — your infield and outfield are 
there to help you; and they would much rather 
see the opposing team hit the ball than walk to 
first base. 



THE PITCHER 51 

Inspire your team by your actions of confidence 
and judgment; then they will work harder and 
better behind you. Figure every possibility as 
the batter takes his position in the box. 

If your men are making errors behind you, do 
not become discouraged or show resentment; this 
is a time when you must control yourself and the 
ball in such a way as to pull your team together. 
A team cannot win consistently if its pitchers 
lack courage; therefore, when you take your posi- 
tion on the mound, resolve that, no matter how 
great the odds may be against you, you will never 
lose your nerve. 

Pay no attention to remarks addressed to you 
by the opposing players or the spectators; they 
are likely to say various things merely to discon- 
cert you. You must remain cool and thoughtful 
all through the game, no matter how wild the 
excitement may run among the spectators. 

Before pitching to each batter, be sure that 
your fielders are all placed properly. 

Do not become careless when there is a weak 
hitter at bat; he wouldn't be in the ball game if 
he couldn't hit at times. 

If any unusual delay occurs while the game is 
in progress, do not stand idly by. Select your 
first-baseman or any other handy player, and 
throw the ball to him, thereby keeping your arm 
warm until the game is resumed. 



52 BASEBALL 

Toward the end of the game, when you are 
ahead — no matter how much — do not assume 
that the game is won and become careless. Con- 
tinue to use your head, and control the ball. 

Do not be unwilling to take advice from your 
fellow players during the game or at any other 
time. Many heads are better than one. 

A little plaster of Paris powder, or powdered 
chalk, carried in the hip pocket, may come in 
handy on wet days to rub on the ball. 

Remember that, to be at your best and to have 
a long life in baseball, you must keep good hours 
and avoid all excesses. 



Ill 

THE FIRST-BASEMAN 
Footwork 

Accustom the feet to feel for the base. Be- 
fore receiving a thrown ball, stand just inside of 
the diamond with feet spread on each side~of the 
base; then when the ball is thrown, shift in the 
direction of the ball. If it comes to the right, 
extend the right foot — hooking the base with the 
left; if it comes to the left, extend the left foot 
— hooking the base with the right. Practise this 
constantly. 

The first-baseman should never cross his feet; 
that is, extend the left foot when reaching to the 
right, and vice versa. (See illustration facing 
page 54.) By so doing, the reach is shortened 
and the position is made very awkward. 

Never remain on the base when the ball has 
been thrown too wide to be handled. You can 
do nothing without the ball; therefore, leave the 
base and take a chance on touching the runner 
or getting back to the base ahead of him. 

In handling low-thrown balls (pick-ups), the 
first-baseman should reach forward as far as pos- 

53 



54 BASEBALL 

sible, keeping one foot against the base, trusting 
that if the ball gets away from his hands it will 
be blocked by his body. Keeping the foot against 
the base and judging how far you can reach re- 
quires a great deal of practice. Do not turn the 
head away from the ball, for in so doing it is im- 
possible to follow the bound. 

Working with the Pitcher 

The success of a first-baseman depends to a 
great extent upon the amount of ground he can 
cover. And in order that he may cover ground, 
he must know that the pitcher is ready at all times 
to go to first base. The first-baseman should con- 
stantly coach the pitcher to take the base on all balls 
hit to the first-baseman. Knowing that the pitcher 
will take first, he can play well back and cover 
ground to the right and left. 

In making a play to first base when the pitcher 
is covering that base, it is absolutely necessary 
to toss the ball to him. Keep the ball well in 
the air and ahead of the pitcher as he runs to 
the base — this enables him to get the location 
of the base and catch the ball at the same time 
— all the while going at full speed. A fast thrown 
ball, on this play, either gets away from the 
pitcher because he hasn't time to cover it, if it is 
over the base, or it slows him up, since he has to 



THE FIRST-BASEMAN 55 

stop in order to catch the ball. When it is pos- 
sible, toss the ball so that the pitcher receives it 
just before reaching the base. 

Catching Thrown Balls 

The first-baseman should be adept at catching 
the ball with the gloved hand alone, as well as 
with both hands. He is constantly being forced 
to handle bad throws, and since he can reach much 
farther with one hand than he can with two, it 
is essential that he cling to the ball whenever he 
gets one hand on it. Practise catching with the 
gloved hand alone. But never use one hand when 
you can get both on the ball ! 

When there is a fast man coming down the base- 
line from home, stretch out as far as you can to 
meet the ball; by so doing, you will receive the 
ball sooner. Many base-runners who otherwise 
would be safe are declared out when the play is 
made this way. 

It is well to get into the habit in practice of call- 
ing for the ball on the inside of the diamond out 
of the path of the runner. But a first-baseman 
should not be afraid of reaching right in front of a 
base-runner to get the ball; then, no matter what 
happens — hold the ball ! 

After receiving a thrown ball from the infield, 
the first-baseman should instantly shift into a 



S6 BASEBALL 

throwing position — ^watching the other base-run- 
ners. A second lost will often enable a clever base- 
runner to steal a base. 

Tagging the Runner 

The first-baseman should develop a sharp, swift 
motion in putting the ball on the runner as 
he comes back to the base. Always reach low — 
and sweep the ball on the runner just in front of 
the base. When it is possible, especially with a 
runner caught between first base and second base, 
meet the runner a few feet from the base, but be 
sure he can't slide under the ball. Do not try 
to pound the runner hard with the ball — the ball 
might bound out of your hands — a swift, light 
touch takes less time and is safer. 

The Question of Choosing a Right or Left 
Handed Thrower 

In only one particular has a left-handed first 
baseman the advantage over a right-handed man; 
and that is in throwing to second base to make 
double plays. When he gets the ball he is in a 
natural position to throw to second base; while the 
right-handed man is compelled to make almost a 
complete turn before he is in a position to throw to 
that base. Therefore, other things being equal, 



THE FIRST-BASEMAN 57 

the first consideration governing the choice would 
be the players' batting ability. 

Fielding the Position 

The distance from first base that the fielder 
should play can only be determined by the indi- 
vidual himself. The rule is to cover as much 
ground as possible — safely. A moderate distance 
when playing back — to be varied by the ability of 
the individual player — is a position eight paces 
from the base along the base-Hne, and eight paces 
perpendicularly back. (See Diagram IX, page 
203.) On natural right-field hitters, play over 
toward the foul line — as hits in that territory are 
generally good for two bases. On all other bat- 
ters, take your regular position — playing as far 
outside of the diamond as possible (that is, of 
course, when you are not holding the runner on 
the base). 

The first-baseman should perfect himself in 
handling batted ground balls; he should be sure 
at least to get his body in front of the ball and 
block it — trusting to be able to pick the ball up 
and beat the runner to the base — or that the 
pitcher will run over and cover first. On slow 
balls, he should run in swiftly, get the ball (with 
one hand if necessary), whirl, and snap it to first — 
always remembering to tell the pitcher to take 



58 BASEBALL 

first base. If the ball is one which both the pitcher 
and first-baseman try for — of course the second- 
baseman should go to first base — short-stop nat- 
urally swinging over to cover second base, there 
being nothing else for him to do. The first-base- 
man should try to get all fly balls in his vicinity — 
especially those between him and the catcher — as 
he gets a better start after the ball, knowing just 
where it is, while the catcher pauses momentarily 
to locate it. (This is especially true if the sun is 
in the catcher's eyes.) It is generally safer for 
the first-baseman to take fly balls that come down 
on his side of the diamond near the pitcher. It 
is well not to go over very far toward the second- 
baseman — as he generally has an easy time cover- 
ing ground on fly balls; but the first-baseman 
should start fast and try for all pop-flies out in 
right field behind him. (See "Second-Baseman" 
on fly balls.) 

In taking your position in the field, always be 
sure that the base is inside the diamond, for if any 
part of it is hit while on foul ground, the hit is fair . 

Backing up Bases 

When the ball is being thrown home from the 
outfield, the first baseman can play in either of 
the two ways indicated in Diagram II, page 199. 
He should get back of the catcher at a distance of 



THE FIRST-BASEMAN 59 

forty feet — alert and ready to stop overthrows, 
etc. — returning the ball to the infield wherever the 
play demands it or take a position in the infield. 
(See Diagrams IV, V, VI and VII, pages 200-202.) 

Runner on First Base 

When there is a runner on first base only, the 
first-baseman should always remain on his base 
to prevent the runner from getting a large lead. 
(There is one exception to this rule, viz.: In the 
last inning, if his side is three or more runs ahead, 
the first-baseman should leave his base and play 
back, paying attention only to the batter, as the 
one run won't aflPect the score materially.) 

Stand over the base, feet astride, giving the 
runner room to slide back to the base behind your 
right foot. Be on the alert for a throw from the 
pitcher. Always watch the ball. 

None out. Be ready to handle a bunted ball. 
(The batter may bunt according to Team Plays 19 
ay h, c.) 

If the ball is bunted, go in toward the batter 
with all possible speed. Start the instant you 
divine that he will bunt. (By watching closely 
the arm motions of the batter, you can frequently 
tell when he is about to bunt.) If it is a slow 
bunt, play the ball to first base, as it will be im- 
possible to retire the runner at second. But if it 



6o BASEBALL 

is a ball that comes at you rather fast, whirl and 
head the man off at second. 

On balls other than bunts, also use your judg- 
ment in playing the ball. If you think that you 
have time to get the runner at second, throw the 
ball there — otherwise play it to first base. (A 
word from one of your own players will often 
help you in deciding this play.) Always keep 
in mind the speed of the batter and base-run- 
ner. 

One out. Hold the runner close to the base to 
prevent him from getting a start. Here he may 
be going to attempt to steal, or work the hit-and- 
run play. You may, therefore, expect frequent 
throws from the pitcher, who should be working 
to break up any contemplated play. 

As the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter, 
go out into the diamond to cover more ground. 
It is necessary to remain on the base only as long 
as the pitcher might throw there; after that, 
leave the base and go out where you can be of 
service fielding the ball. 

When the ball is hit to you, if possible, retire 
the runner going to second base (starting a double 
play); then go back to your base to complete the 
play. (The act of making the double play suc- 
cessfully requires great speed and accuracy; 
therefore, you should spend much time in prac- 



THE FIRST-BASEMAN 6i 

tising it.) If the runner going to second is out 
of the question, retire the runner at first — either 
by playing him yourself or by tossing the ball 
to the pitcher or second-baseman, who may be 
covering the base. 

Whenever the base-runner starts to steal, the 
first-baseman should call out to his catcher, 
"There he goes!" (or some other similar direc- 
tion). This will enable the catcher to keep his eye 
on second base while throwing — instead of being 
compelled to watch the runner. 

Two out. Hold the runner up; and play to re- 
tire the batter at first base. 

Runners on First and Second 

See Team Play 13. 

When one is out, play half your regular distance 
back of, and away from, your base. The fact 
that you do this will enable you to cover more 
ground and will not permit the runner to take 
any larger lead than if you were on the base. 
If he persists in taking a large lead, you can fre- 
quently retire him by a throw from the catcher. 
(See Team Play 17.) 

When two are out, leave your base, and play 
your regular distance back — ^just as though there 
were no runner on base. The pitcher will cover 
first base on all balls hit to you. The fact that 



62 BASEBALL 

second base is occupied prevents the base-runner 
from stealing. (As a rule, they won't attempt a 
double steal when two are out.) If the runner 
takes a large lead, drive him back by the use of 
Team Play 17. 

Runners on First, Second, and Third 
See Team Plays i, 2, 3, 4, 5. 

Runners on First and Third 
See Team Plays 6, 7, 8, 9. 

Runners on Second and Third ^ 
See Team Plays 10 and 11. 

Runner on Third 

See Team Play 12. 

Always, as the hatter takes his position in the 
box, decide what you will do with the ball if it is hit 
to you ! 



IV 

THE SECOND-BASEMAN 
General Fielding Hints 

Your regular position should be as far back and 
away from second base as your speed and general 
ability will permit. This position should also be 
determined in connection with the batter's speed, 
hitting ability, etc. (See Diagrams IX, X, and 
XI, pages 203 and 204.) 

On all fly balls hit into your territory, start 
for them immediately, calling out as you start 
(this will prevent collisions with other fielders). 
Learn by practice how much ground you can 
cover toward centre field, right field, and behind 
the first-baseman toward the foul-line. 

Always judge the wind! If it is blowing out 
with the ball, your opportunity of catching the 
ball is decreased; while if it is blowing in from the 
outfield, against the ball, and, as it were, holding 
the ball up, you will be greatly assisted in covering 
ground and catching the ball. Remember, there- 
fore, to ascertain when you take your position on 
the field just how the wind blows. Of course, 

63 



64 BASEBALL 

nothing can be done with that *^ thorn in the side," 
The Texas Leaguer — (a little fly ball just out of 
reach of both outfielders and infielders). 

On a hase-hit to right field, don't chase the ball 
out into the field — the right-fielder can handle it; 
go to second base and receive the ball from the 
fielder. (The short-stop should back you up on 
this play.) On a base-hit to left field, back up 
the short-stop, who covers second on the throw-in. 

With a runner on second base, when base-hits 
are made to the outfield, play as directed in 
Diagrams II and III, pages 199 and 200. 

On long hits to right field for two or more bases, 
in which it is necessary to relay the ball in, go out 
into the field and back up the fielder who is to 
"make the throw" into the diamond. Coach 
this man where to throw upon receiving the ball. 
With your assistance he can turn and throw with- 
out a second's loss — and this often means the pre- 
venting of runs being made. (Study Diagrams 
VI and VII, pages 201 and 202.) 

On all slow hits, go in fast, and throw to first 
base underhanded ; for by straightening up to 
throw you lose time, and the runner may beat 
your throw to first base — especially if he is a fast 
runner or left-handed batter. (Left-handed bat- 
ters always get away from the plate faster than 
right-handed men.) On some left-handed batters 



THE SECONI>-BASEMAN 65 

— fast men — you will be compelled to play in 
closer to protect against just such a play. Since, 
by studying the batter, you will know his speed 
and peculiarities, your own judgment will help 
you a great deal here. 

Hard-hit halls should be blocked or "knocked 
down." Never let the fumbling of such a ball 
worry you, for the ball generally hits your hands 
before the runner is fifteen feet from the plate. 
Recover the ball as quickly as possible and throw 
it to first by a sharp, underhanded s-nap. Never 
take your eye of a fumbled hall; get it securely in 
the hand before attempting to throw it. In 
other words, dont look at the base-runner while try- 
ing to pick up the ball. If you do, you will find 
yourself making three or four attempts to get 
hold of it — and by that time the runner will be 
over first base. As you can do nothing without 
the ball, remember to keep your eyes on it until 
you have it in your hand. 

On hits that you field close to first base, toss or 
pitch the ball to the first-baseman; he can handle 
this kind of a ball better than one snapped hard 
at him. When the pitcher is covering first base, 
and you have fielded the ball near him, toss the 
ball to him in the same way — for he will be com- 
pelled to run, catch the ball, and touch the base 
all at the same time. The conditions of making 



66 BASEBALL 

these plays should be governed by the amount of 
time at your disposal, the speed of the ball and 
runner, etc. 

Getting the Catcher's Signals 

Be sure to understand and get the catcher's 
signals (see catcher's signals. Team Play 29), 
as they will help you in covering ground intelli- 
gently. For instance: let us assume that the 
catcher's signal to the pitcher for a fast ball is 
one finger, and for a curve two fingers — and 
that there is a right-handed batter who is a free 
hitter at the plate. Now, suppose you are playing 
your regular position, and you see the catcher 
put down one finger — you know it calls for a fast 
ball — and this ball will very probably be hit in 
your direction. If, however, on this play the 
batter is a certain left-field hitter, play a little 
closer to second base — all the while ready to 
cover ground to your left also. And on a free 
hitter, if the catcher should put down two fingers 
(calling for a curve) the ball will more than likely 
be hit to the short-stop. When there is a left- 
handed batter at the plate, of course these con- 
ditions of play would be just reversed: upon 
getting the catcher's signals, reverse them, i. e.y 
the curved ball would probably be hit in your 
direction, and the fast ball to the left-field side. 



THE SECOND-BASEMAN (yj 

Yet be ready to cover ground toward second base 
on the fast-ball signal. After you have got the 
catcher's signal, do not shift your position before 
the ball is pitched, as that would inform the bats- 
man of the play; you may expect a dead right- 
field hitter to hit nearly all balls in your direction. 

Passing the Catcher's Signals to the 
Outfield 

The second-baseman, by getting the catcher's 
signals, can not only increase his own efficiency 
in covering ground but can assist the outfielders 
by passing these same signals out to them. It is 
easy for the second-baseman to get the catcher's 
signs (signals), but it is impossible for the out- 
fielders to get them; therefore the second-base- 
man should pass the signals out to the fielders, so 
that they can know whether a curve or a fast ball 
is being pitched. 

A simple method of doing this may clarify the 
point: when you see the fast ball (one finger) 
called by the catcher, place the right hand be- 
hind your back with the hand closed; when the 
curved ball has been called (two fingers) place 
the right hand behind your back — open. The 
same hand should be used in giving these signals, 
otherwise the opposing batsmen will soon be able 
to distinguish between signals — and will know 



68 BASEBALL 

what ball is coming each time. By playing ac- 
cording to signals in this way, both the infield 
and outfield can cover more ground — ^with a 
greater degree of certainty. 

Protecting the Weak Side 

If a fielder is weak on covering ground, either to 
the right or left side, he should protect that side, 
e. g., if a second-baseman has difficulty fielding 
balls on his right, he should play a little toward 
second base. However, try for every hit ball that 
comes your way — and try hard — don't be afraid of 
making errors. All good fielders (ground coverers) 
make errors, because they "go after everything 
in sight" — and in so doing they knock down many 
balls that would have meant runs. Accustom 
yourself to using the gloved hand freely, but never 
use one hand to stop or catch a ball if two can be 
used to do the same work. 

When There Is a Runner on First Base and 
None Out 

In this case the batter may bunt the ball. (See 
Team Plays ig a, b, c.) The second-baseman, if 
he assumes that the batter will bunt, should take 
his position a few paces back of the base-line and 
directly between the first-baseman and pitcher. 
From this point he can recover any hard-bunted 



THE SECOND-BASEMAN 69 

balls that go between the first-baseman and 
pitcher. In this position, however (a fast ball 
having been called for), if, when you are expecting 
the batter to bunt, he should switch the play to a 
hit and run, and bunt the ball past the pitcher on 
the short-stop side, it is doubtful whether either 
runner could be retired. The short-stop on this 
play will be going over to cover second base, and 
when the ball is hit in his direction will pull up 
and try to get the ball — then it is up to you at 
least to try to cover second. The batter and 
base-runner are likely to work a "hit-and-run 
play" when no one is oiit; be on the alert. (See 
Team Play 22.) 

Another play for the second-baseman to make 
is that of covering first base — from the position 
mentioned above — to receive the ball from the 
first-baseman, who goes in toward the plate to 
cover bunts. Again, on this play, if the ball is re- 
covered by the pitcher, it will be difficult for the 
first-baseman to get back to the base; therefore, 
the second-baseman should take first. The third- 
baseman may sometimes handle a bunt and throw 
the ball to first before the first-baseman can get 
back; here again the second-baseman takes first. 
Of course, if the first-baseman can get back in time 
to take the ball, let him do so. In these plays do 
not leave your position until the ball has been hit. 



70 BASEBALL 

Frequently second-basemen start to cover first 
base too soon in this play — leaving the position 
open through which the ball, after being bunted 
hard past the pitcher, will roll — allowing both 
men to be safe. The same instructions about 
leaving your position should apply when the 
opposing team is making the hit-and-run play 
or when a man is stealing second. Try not to 
leave your position to cover second until the hall is 
in the catcher s hands. By studying and playing 
according to the catcher's signals, knowing the 
batter, and playing accordingly, you should never 
be caught napping. 

Another play that the second-baseman can 
make, with a man on first and nobody out, is the 
following (Team Play i8): As the first-baseman 
goes in toward home to cover the bunt, naturally 
the base is left unguarded — and the runner will 
play away off. By a prearranged signal with the 
catcher (who calls a waste ball from the pitcher), 
the second-baseman can slip over behind the base- 
runner and take the throw from the catcher — to 
retire the runner — since the latter will be leaning 
toward second if expecting the bunt. 

Making the Double Play 

One of the most important functions of the 
short-stop and second-baseman is that of making 



THE SECOND-BASEMAN 71 

the double play at second and first. The play 
requires the utmost swiftness of action, and ability 
to catch and throw the ball under the most dif- 
ficult conditions. The short-stop and second- 
baseman should continually practise making this 
play with all possible speed. It is the throw from 
second to first that demands the greatest speed — 
since the batter is allowed considerable time, while 
the ball is being caught and thrown to second. 
Therefore, practise catching the ball, tagging the 
base, and throwing to first with a runner going to 
second. 

A Runner on First Base 

One out. In this case, the second-baseman should 
be ready to cover second base on an attempted 
"steal.'' Now the question comes up again, "who 
will cover second base, the second-baseman or 
the short-stop ? " And again the catcher's sig- 
nals and a knowledge of the batter come to your 
assistance. On all ^'free hitters" (batters who are 
likely to hit into any field), and on all batters 
whose hitting tendencies you do not know, you 
should cover second to take the throw according 
to what ball is pitched to the batter. When, on 
a right-handed batter, you see the signal for the 
fast ball — ^you remain in your position, because 
that kind of a ball is very apt to be hit in your 



72 BASEBALL 

direction (and the short-stop will cover second). 
The short-stop would cover second also on all 
waste balls (pitch-outs) to a right-handed batter. 
If on this same batter (right-handed) the curved 
ball is called, the second-baseman should cover 
the base to retire the runner, while the short- 
stop remains in his position to protect that side 
of the diamond, since the curved ball will gen- 
erally be hit to left field. 

But the above conditions change somewhat 
when the batter is known to be a dead left-field 
hitter — that is, one who pulls every ball (or 
nearly every one) around into left field. Against 
this batter, the second -baseman would cover 
second base on all pitched balls. If the pitcher's 
control enables him, by keeping the ball away 
from the batter, to make the batter hit into his 
weak field — the second-baseman should not only 
be ready to cover second base if the runner steals, 
but to field the ball if it is hit into his territory. 
Therefore, know and study your pitchers and 
opposing batsmen. 

On a left-handed batter, the conditions change 
again. If he is a free hitter play him just the 
reverse on the catcher's signals — ^when the man 
is stealing second. For example, on the fast-ball 
signal you (second-baseman) would cover second 
to take the throw. On the curved-ball signal, 



THE SECONI>-BASEMAN 73 

the second-baseman would remain in his position 
while the short-stop covered second. 

If the batter is a dead right-field hitter — the 
short-stop should cover second on all thrown 
balls. It is quite plain from the above that there 
should be no guesswork about covering second 
base; it is all done according to signals and a 
knowledge of the batters. Of course there will 
be times when the ball is hit exactly contrary to 
expectations — but the above system is in accor- 
dance with the laws of probability — and will be 
found to be reliable. 

With first occupied and a steal expected, play 
a few paces nearer second to enable you to receive 
the ball from the catcher. On pitch-out signs — 
when you are to cover, you should be able to leave 
your position ahead of time to take the throw. 
But under all other conditions you must keep 
your position as long as possible. 

Watching for the drag-hit, (This hit is so called 
because the batter — usually a fast left-hander — 
makes more than a bunt of the hit, giving it just 
enough force to get it past the pitcher — toward 
the second-baseman.) If this ball is successfully 
placed toward the second-baseman, and if the 
latter is playing a deep position, the runner may 
beat the ball to first base. Therefore, when play- 
ing against a batter who is known to make that 



74 BASEBALL 

play, move in toward the base-line far enough 
to command the situation — ^judging the batter's 
speed and your own ability to come in and shoot 
the ball underhanded to first base. 

Position of Baseman's Feet in Covering 
Second Base 

In taking throws from the catcher while a man 
is stealing do not worry about the position of 
your feet; that should be the last consideration. 
The first and most important thing is to get the 
hall. If the throw is perfect, permitting you to 
place yourself so that the runner must slide to 
you — all well and good; but remember that po- 
sition is nothing if you don't have the ball. 

A great deal of practice is necessary to enable a 
second-baseman (or short-stop) to be able to put 
the runner out, stealing. Be sure to get the ball 
first, using two hands when possible — then tag 
the runner. Catch the ball and sweep it down on 
the runner — all in one motion; touch the runner 
lightly with the ball — if you try to pound him 
with it, the chances are that you will drop the 
ball. Do not let the runner coming at you make 
you nervous, don't worry about his spikes — watch 
the ball — and out of the corner of your eye you can 
see the runner well enough to enable you to play 
correctly. When the play is at all close, put the 



THE SECONI>-BASEMAN 75 

ball speedily down in front of the base, thus com- 
pelling the runner to sHde into it. 



Runner on First Base 

Two out. Play back well, but a little nearer 
second base. However, always play according to 
the batter's habit of hitting — and the catcher's 
signals. With the knowledge thus gained, and 
knowing that with two out the runner will very 
probably attempt to steal (unless he is three or 
four runs behind), you may greatly facilitate 
matters. 

Runners on First and Second 

None out. Here again you must watch for the 
sacrifice bunt — especially if the opposing club 
wants one or two runs badly. (Read Team Plays 
19/, g, A, i.) Play as directed with first occupied 
and none out — a little nearer first base, where you 
can cover first base if the first-baseman goes in to 
get the bunt. Always study the hitter's motion 
with his bat — he will generally reveal to you by 
some little motion the fact that he will bunt. 
Then, as soon as you see that he intends to bunt, 
start quickly for the ball — but be ready to stop 
and cover first if the ball can be handled by the 
first-baseman or pitcher. Three men around the 



76 BASEBALL 

ball and nobody covering the base is a common 
condition when the ball is hit rather slowly be- 
tween first and second bases. So cover first base 
if the other men can field the ball. 

One out. Hold the runner on second base as 
closely as possible; do not let him take a big lead. 
Run toward second base as though to catch the 
ball thrown there by the pitcher. But do not 
leave your position while the |.itcher is delivering 
the ball to the batter — the ball might be hit 
through your territory. By a prearranged signal 
with the pitcher, you can sometimes catch the 
runner napping. (See Team Play 14.) Play your 
usual position, according to who is batting — always 
being on the alert for fast left-handed batters. 
Watch the catcher's signals. If, as the ball is hit 
hard at you, you field it cleanly, throw it to second 
base; hut if you fumble, throw to first base. In 
tossing or throwing the ball to the short-stop on 
double plays, throw it so that the fielder receives 
it on the inside of the base (within the diamond); 
he can then throw unobstructed to first. And in 
attempting a double play, be sure to retire the 
first man, anyway! 

If, as the hit-and-run is being played, the ball 
is hit to your left, play it to first base; for the 
runner will have got such a start oflF first that it 
will be difficult to catch him at second. Slow 



THE SECOND-BASEMAN ^^ 

balls should be thrown to first base, as doubles 
are out of the question. 

If the ball is hit at you in such a way that you 
catch it ahead of the runner on first (who will be 
on his way to second) touch him, and throw to 
first base, making a double play. If the runner 
should stop between the bases, preventing you 
from touching him, run him back toward first, 
then throw to first, retiring the batter, and leav- 
ing the runner to be caught between first and 
second. 

Whenever you have a man caught between 
bases, always drive him back toward the base 
from which he came. If he is between first and 
second, make the put-out at first. Do not per- 
mit the base-runner to take a big lead oflFthe base. 

Runner on Second 

"None out. Play in for the sacrifice bunt (if you 
calculate that he will attempt it). (See Team 
Plays 19 d and ^.) If the ball be hit to you, the 
play is generally to retire the runner at first. 

One out. The runner is very apt to steal third, 
so help the short-stop to keep him close to the 
base by feinting to take the ball from the pitcher. 
Be careful, however, of leaving your position open, 
especially if the batter be a right-field hitter. 
Occasionally it is advisable, if the runner plays 



78 BASEBALL 

ofF a great distance, to work a signal with the 
pitcher (through the catcher) and catch the 
runner off the base. (See Team Play 14.) Study 
your batter. 

Two out. Play deep — and get the batter at first 
base — always ! For conditions of play with: 

Man on third base, see Team Play 12. 

Man on second and third bases, see Team Plays 
10 and II. 

Man on first, second, and third bases, see Team 
Plays I, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 

Man on first and third bases, see Team Plays 
6, 7, 8, and 9. 

Be prepared for the double steal — that is, the 
man on third scoring while the man on first goes 
to second. In order to prevent the opponents 
from making this play successfully the second- 
baseman should cut in ten or fifteen feet in front 
of second base — and if the man is going home 
intercept the ball and throw it home; if he is not 
going home, let the ball go to short-stop who is 
covering second. On this play the second-base- 
man has everything in front of him — he can see 
the ball and the runner on third. Sometimes 
the man at third will make a feint to go home — 
stopping when about fifteen feet off the base. 
In this case the second-baseman can snap the ball 
to third, catching the runner off the base. 



THE SECOND-BASEMAN 79 

If the ball thrown by the catcher is thrown at 
such a height that, in your opinion, it will not go to 
second, catch it whether the man starts from third 
or not — as the low throw will hit the ground and 
probably get away from the short-stop — letting 
the man score from third — and placing the runner 
from first on third. By practising this play, you 
will soon become able to judge whether the ball 
will carry to second or not. 

The breaking up of this "double steal" can be 
accompHshed best when the "pitch-out" (waste- 
ball) signal is given. Then the positions may be 
left open with less danger of being hit through. 

When no "pitch-out" sign is given — the second- 
baseman (and short-stop) should play a bit nearer 
the base and the line — not leaving this position 
until the ball is either hit or in the catcher's 
hands. 

Always, as the hatter takes his position in the box, 
you should decide what you will do with the hall if it 
is hit to you. 



THE SHORT-STOP 

Many points relative to the short-stop have 
been covered in the chapter on the second-base- 
man — they will be referred to in this chapter. 

The first thing you should do when you arrive 
on the field before a game is to note how the 
wind is blowing. The wind will at times enable 
you to catch many a fly ball that you would not 
even try for ordinarily. Play the ball in a high 
wind according to the same instructions given to 
the second-baseman on fly ball. 

Learn to "get the ball away" fast and true — 
overhanded when you have time (on a hard-hit 
ball) and underhanded when you are hurried. 
Proficiency in this latter throw, especially to first 
base, requires diligent practice. 

Learn to use your gloved hand alone on balls 
that you see it is impossible to get two hands on. 
Don't be afraid of errors. Try for everything — 
many a game has been saved by a "wild lunge," 
as it is called — ^whereby a player has actually 
hurled himself at a ball, catching it almost mirac- 
ulously. 

80 



THE SHORT-STOP 8i 

The majority of infielders have what is called 
a weak side; that is, there is one side, right or 
left, on which it is difficult for them to cover 
ground successfully. Players can overcome this 
weakness somewhat by having the ball batted 
on their weak side constantly in practice. (Young 
players should pay particular attention to devel- 
oping their ability to cover ground on both sides.) 

Make a study of the batters. Note what kinds 
of balls they hit, where they generally hit — ^whether 
they are free hitters, or whether they are dead 
right or left field hitters. Remember the speed 
of the various players — this will enable you to 
regulate the speed with which you must make 
your plays. Little things are happening con- 
stantly, which, if remembered, will give you a 
very valuable knowledge of the players whom 
you are to meet day after day. 

Cover third on all "hit-and-run" plays when 
the third-baseman goes in for batted or bunted 
balls. You can be of no use remaining in your 
position when the ball is bunted or hit toward 
third. So either back up the play (on a ball that 
you can recover if the third-baseman misses it) 
or cover third. Don't worry about second — as 
the second-baseman naturally swings around to 
cover that base when the ball is hit to your side 
of the diamond. When you attempt anything 



82 BASEBALL 

in the way of fielding get started quickly — it 
is the fractions of seconds in time that make worlds 
of difference in baseball. 

When you have a runner caught between second 
and third, run him back to second and make the 
put-out there — in fact, always run a base-runner 
back to the base from which he came, trying to have 
him put out at that base. If he is not put out, he 
will at least have been prevented from getting the 
extra base. Start quickly and get in front of 
hard -hit balls; learn to play them with your 
hands, not with your feet or body — this can be 
accomplished only by judging the bounds. (Get 
into the habit of catching grounders on good 
bounds — that is, playing the ball — otherwise "the 
ball plays you.") When you have handled the 
ball cleanly there will be little difficulty in throw- 
ing the man out at first; but if you fumble the 
ball, you must be speedy in getting the ball to 
first to retire the man. Remember that you must 
play faster on a left-handed batter than on a 
right-handed one. 

Come in rapidly on all balls that are hit 
slowly in your territory; play them with all pos- 
sible speed — using the underhanded throw. Fre- 
quently you will be compelled to play the slow 
ball with the bare hand, picking it up and throw- 
ing it while on the dead run; this should be prac- 



THE SHORT-STOP 83 

tised until it is not difficult to do. It is well in 
practice to try all ways of catching the ball. But 
in a game never use one hand when you can get 
both on the hall. 

Go after all fly balls, learning by constant try- 
ing how far you can go for them. When you go 
after a ball and see that you can get it — avoid 
collisions by calling loudly: "Mine!" 

Go after everything ! Don't be afraid of mak- 
ing errors. (A manager, captain, or coach can al- 
ways tell whether or not a man is trying hard.) 

In fielding your position, protect your weak side 
(see instruction to second-baseman); that is, so 
divide up your territory as to leave the larger part 
on your strong side. 

Learn to "get the ball away from you" with 
the least possible delay. Practise catching and 
throwing with one motion. A ball that travels 
with great speed, but thrown with a long, slow 
motion, is not nearly so effective as a slower ball 
thrown with a speedy motion. 

Be ready to cover second base, if the ball is hit 
on the first-base side of the diamond. 

Play as deeply as possible, that is, as far as 
you can back of the base-line; this will enable you 
to cover a great deal of ground on hard-hit balls. 
The condition of your arm and the speed of the 
runner should regulate this distance. 



84 BASEBALL 

When the ball is hit past the left-fielder — go out 
into left field (as the centre-fielder crosses over to 
help the left-fielder relay the ball in) and coach 
outfielder where to throw the ball. The second- 
baseman will cover second base. (See Diagrams 
IV and V, pages 200 and 201; also study Dia- 
grams II, III, VI, and VII, pages 199, 200, 201, 
and 202.) 

Play your position according to the individual 
batters — and according to the kind of balls pitched. 
(See Second-Baseman — Getting the Catcher's Sig- 
nals.) You must play with the greatest possible 
speed on fast left-handed batters. Always be on 
the alert to pass your signals to the outfield. 
(See Second-Baseman — Passing Catcher's Signals 
to Outfield.) 

In throwing or tossing the ball to second base 
at the beginning of a double play, throw the ball 
on the inside of the base, so that the second-base- 
man will have a better opportunity of throwing 
to first base. And remember that if you are 
close to second (but can't make the double your- 
self) toss the ball to second rather than throw it 
— make your motion speedy — keeping the ball 
high — thus giving the second-baseman time to 
cover the base and catch the ball. 

Back up second base on balls thrown to second 
from right field (letting second-baseman cover the 



THE SHORT-STOP 85 

ball); cover second base on balls thrown from left 
field to the base (second-baseman backing you up) 
— these directions apply only when, with no run- 
ner on base, a single has been hit to the outfield. 
If, with nobody on base, as you fumble the 
ball you see that you cannot put the runner out 
at first, HOLD THE BALL. It is absolutely useless 
and sometimes dangerous to throw when you see 
that the man cannot be retired. 

Runner on First Base 

See directions to second-baseman under the 
same conditions. 

Cover second base according to what ball is 
pitched — and according to the batter^ — whether 
he is left or right handed, etc. With a runner on 
first base, if a base-hit is made' to right field or 
right centre field, get in line with the throw from 
the fielder to third base. Stand about thirty feet 
in front of the third-baseman. The ball will be 
thrown to third base to cut off the runner, who 
will probably try to go from first base to third 
on the hit. Be ready to catch the ball if the 
third-baseman should tell you to (he will do so if 
he sees that the runner cannot be caught at third 
base), and play it to second to retire the batter, 
who, on the throw-in will be trying for that base. 

If (when it is up to you to cover second base) 



86 BASEBALL 

you see the runner stealing, do not leave your 
position immediately — you can hesitate and still 
be able to reach second ahead of the runner. 

Be on the alert for push-hits (or drag-hits), and 
hit-and-run plays. (See Team Plays 21 and 22 a, 
h,c.) 

When the ball is hit to your right in such a 
way that after you have fielded it you see 
that you can't get the man at second or first, 
feint to throw to first, and throw to second (you 
might get the runner as he steps over the base). 

Always be on the alert for a steal or hit-and- 
run; be ready to cover second according to the ball 
called by the catcher. (See instructions to second- 
baseman on same play.) 

Two out. Play back so as to cover ground, 
making the put-out at the easiest base. Cover 
second base according to signals in case the runner 
steals. 

Runner on Second Base 

When second base is occupied, if you fumble a 
hit ball and see that you cannot retire the runner 
at first, make a blufF to throw to first base, whirl 
and throw quickly to third — the runner from 
second to third will often be rounding that base 
to get a lead for home, and your throw may 
catch him. 

On a ball that is hit between short-stop and 



THE SHORT-STOP 87 

third, throw the man out at third, especially on 
a ball that would be very difficult to throw to 
first. 

If the runner on second base is needed by his 
side to tie the score or win, then, when it is pos- 
sible, throw him out at third. 

When there is a runner on second base, it is 
the short-stop's duty to prevent that runner from 
getting a large lead off the base. By a pre- 
arranged signal with the pitcher (see Team Play 
14), such as a nod of the head, a motion of the 
hand, etc., he should start for second, as the 
pitcher wheels and throws there. At other times, 
without using the signal with the pitcher, he 
should start back to second merely to get the 
runner to do the same (at the same time the 
pitcher throws to the batter as the runner is go- 
ing back to second — his lead toward third, of 
course, being cut down considerably). The short- 
stop should be careful, in running the man back 
to second, not to leave his own position open for 
the batter to hit through. Don't leave your po- 
sition when the pitcher is delivering the ball. 
For position of feet, catching ball, etc., see Posi- 
tion of Baseman's Feet — The Second-Baseman. 

None out. (Read Team Plays 19 d, e.) 

Very frequently the bunt is played here. A 
successful method of breaking up the play is for 
you to run the man back to second (leaving your 



88 BASEBALL 

position open) — the pitcher puts a good ball over 
to the batter to bunt — then the pitcher and first- 
baseman run in and field the ball to third, catch- 
ing the man there, for you will have held him up 
long enough to allow the play to go through. 
(See Team Play 15.) 

One out. On all balls hit to you, unless the run- 
ner can be retired easily at third, play the hall to 
first base. Then there will be a man on third — 
hut two out. And if the man should make third 
safely as you throw there, there will result the 
very undesirable situation of a man on first and 
third — ^with only one out. 

Hold the runner as close to second as you can 
without leaving too much space open for a left- 
field hitter to hit through. This will help to pre- 
vent stolen bases and hit-and-run plays. When 
the runner refuses to be driven back to the base, 
use the signal (a shght nod or any hand sign) 
with the pitcher and catch the runner napping. 
(See Team Play 14.) 

Two out. Unless you are several runs ahead, 
hold the runner on the base and throw the bat- 
ter out at first. 

Runners on First and Second 

See Team Play 13. 

For information as to what to expect the batter 
to do, see Team Plays 19 /, g, h, i. 



i 



THE SHORT-STOP 89 

In case of a double steal — both men stealing — 
short-stop should cover second in accordance with 
the usual method of signals. 

Runner on Third 

The position to be taken and the style of play 
to be followed here depend upon the score and the 
stage of the game. For instructions whether to 
play in and retire the runner at home, or play 
back, see Team Play 12. 

Whenever you are playing back, with a runner 
on third, disregard that runner on third, and play 
for the batter. 

Runners on Second and Third 
See Team Plays 10 and 11. 

Runners on First, Second, and Third 
See Team Plays i, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 

Runners on First and Third 

See Team Plays 6, 7, 8, and 9. 

Here the runners may attempt what is called 
"a double steal.'' In this play both runners 
attempt to advance a base. 

Before taking part in breaking up this play, if, 
after considering the batter and the catcher's 
signals, you think the ball will be hit in your 



90 BASEBALL 

direction, delay as long as possible before leav- 
ing your position to cover second base — otherwise 
leave as soon as the ball is on the way to the batter. 

Observing the above instructions, you should 
cover second base if the runner on first is stealing. 
The second-baseman will cut in behind the pitcher 
and, if the runner on third base starts for home, 
will intercept the ball and throw it home. If the 
runner remains on third, the second-baseman will 
let the ball go to second base; then you are to 
catch the ball and retire the runner coming from 
first base. But be on the alert to prevent the 
runner on third from scoring while you are going 
after the runner at second. On this play you must 
watch the ball; if the second-baseman lets it go 
to you, catch it and tag the runner, but be quick 
about it, lest the man score from third. If the 
man from first stops before arriving at second, 
run him back toward first base — all the while 
watching the man on third — make the put-out at 
first base. If the man starts home from third, 
of course play him. (Practise receiving the ball 
on the run.) 

Always as the hatter takes his position in the box, 
you should decide what you will do with the hall if it 
is hit to you. 



i 



VI 

THE THIRD-BASEMAN 

General Instructions for the Third- 
Baseman 

Protect your weak side — that is, if it is hard 
for you to catch balls that are hit on one side, 
move over slightly toward that side, so as to cover 
the ground the more easily. Practise so as to 
strengthen your weak side. 

On all bunts or other hit balls which the pitcher 
handles, get into the habit of dropping back to 
your base — ^you will be useless standing in the 
diamond if a runner is advancing to your base. 

Go after all slow hits between you and the 
short-stop. Since, on this kind of a ball, you will 
be running toward first base, you can throw the 
batter out at first base much easier than the 
short-stop can — for he will be running away from 
first and consequently in a bad position to throw. 
But be careful about attempting to handle hard- 
hit halls which are between you and the short- 
stop. You will knock this kind of a ball away 
from you, and out of the reach of the short-stop, 

91 



92 BASEBALL 

when ordinarily he could handle the ball easily. 
By constant practice you will learn how much 
ground you can safely cover on fast balls. Always 
be ready to receive the ball from the catcher — 
going back to your base as the ball hits the 
catcher's glove. 

The distance which you should play ofF the 
base must be determined by your speed and 
ability to cover ground. A safe distance is about 
three paces — more if you can play it safely. 
Always play so as to prevent a runner from 
getting a big lead toward home. 

The Squeeze Play 

See Team Play 23. 

It is impossible for you or any other infielder 
to break up the squeeze play if the ball is hit on 
the ground; but you can prevent two men from 
scoring by keeping your head, doing a little think- 
ing, and acting accordingly. When only third 
base is occupied and the squeeze play is worked 
successfully, your play is to throw the ball to 
first base, as the runner from third will have too 
big a lead ofF the base to be caught at home. But, 
if there is a runner on second and third, and, on 
the squeeze play, the ball is bunted to you, you 
should make a sharp motion as though to throw 
to first base, but hold the ball and catch the man 



THE THIRD-BASEMAN 93 

who was leading off second when the play began 
and by this time will be rounding third base. If 
this second man plays the game rightly, he will 
have taken a big lead ofF second and, being very 
near third when the ball is bunted, will attempt to 
score on your throw to first. You can tell whether 
the man on second is in this play if he gets a big 
running start when the pitcher winds up. 

Handling Fly Balls 

For suggestions on playing according to the 
wind, etc., see directions to the second-baseman 
on this subject. 

No Runners on Base 

Play the batter — that is, play according to who 
the batter is. If you know him to be a fast man 
and one who bunts, play in for him — that is, a 
few feet inside the base-line. If he is either slow, 
or a man who seldom bunts, play back of the base- 
line a few paces. 

Never play in close for a batter who has two 
strikes; he will seldom attempt to bunt. 

Learn to diagnose a batter's intention to bunt. 
There is a distinct difference between the pre- 
liminary motions of bunting and the preliminary 
motions of hitting the ball. If you watch closely, 
you will be able to tell when a batter will bunt — 



94 BASEBALL 

at least you will know just before he bunts — and 
that will allow you time enough to take a few 
steps toward him. By thus studying the batters 
closely, you will be enabled to play a little deeper 
than ordinarily, coming in fast when you see that 
the batter will bunt. Of course, the deeper you 
play the less chance there will be of having a ball 
knocked past you. 

Remember that, on all hard-hit balls (from a 
right-handed batter) which you field cleanly, you 
can throw the runner out at first by forty feet, 
since he is thrown completely off his stride when 
swinging at the ball, and is only ten feet from 
home when you have the ball in your hand. So 
steady up and make the play sure. But on all slow 
balls which roll toward third, hurry in and snap 
the ball to first by a sharp underhanded throw. 
(Practise this throw constantly.) It is the left- 
handed batter whom you must watch carefully. 
As he hits the ball, he swings directly into his 
stride toward first base. Therefore when he hits 
the ball you must lose no time in getting it to first 
base. Play in a Httle on left-handed batters. 

Runner on First 

Judge by the speed of the runner and the 
velocity with which the ball comes to you whether 
or not you can retire the runner at second base. 



THE THIRD-BASEMAN 95 

If the ball comes to you slowly, run in and, if 
necessary, pick it up with one hand; snap it to 
first base underhanded. 

If, as you fumble a batted ball, you see that you 
cannot even retire the batter, make a feint to first 
base— then whirl and snap it to second. You 
may be able to catch the runner at second as he 
rounds that base preparatory to going to third 
on your throw to first. When you have thrown 
a batted ball to first base, hurry back to third to 
cover it in case any other play comes up. 

On all hit balls which the pitcher handles, drop 
back to your base. (In other words, always cover 
your base when you are not actually taking part 
in some play in the diamond.) 

When there is a runner on first base, if a base- 
hit is made to right field — or right centre field — 
the ball should be thrown by the outfielder to 
third base to prevent the runner from going from 
first to third. The short-stop should place him- 
self in line with the thrown ball; and if the third- 
baseman sees that the ball cannot reach third so 
as to retire the runner, he should call to the 
short-stop to intercept it — the short-stop can then 
play it to second base. This play of the short- 
stop's will often retire the batsman who will have 
started for second base on the throw-in. 

None out. Watch for the bunt or hit-and- 



96 BASEBALL 

run play. These are the plays which the batter 
may attempt; therefore be ready for them. 
(For information about the conditions in which a 
batter may bunt, see Team Play 19.) A batter 
will seldom bunt when he has two strikes. 

One out. There is little or no danger of the 
batter bunting, unless he is a very fast runner, so 
the third-baseman can play pretty well back — 
always, however, watching carefully for indication 
of a bunt — and being ready to go in fast if the ball 
is bunted. 

If the ball is hit hard to you, you should throw 
to second to enable the second-baseman to com- 
plete a double play. (When throwing to second 
in this case, throw the ball so that the second- 
baseman can catch it inside of the diamond in 
front of base. In this way you reduce the chances 
of his throw to first being bothered by the runner 
coming from first.) Make this throw to second 
base good; you should at least retire the man at 
second. 

Two out. Pay little or no attention to the base- 
runner. Get the batter at first base. The bat- 
ter has the full ninety feet to run — ^while the man 
on first base has a "lead" of from ten to twelve 
feet or more. 



THE THIRD-BASEMAN 97 

Runners on First and Second 

None out. Watch carefully for a bunt. If the 
ball is bunted to you, there is hardly ever a 
chance to retire the man at third or second — so 
throw to first. (Read Team Play 19.) Be ready 
to cover your base in case the pitcher is making 
a play to get the runner at third. (See Team Play 

I5-) 
One out. Be ready to receive the ball on the 

catcher's throw if the runner should attempt to 

steal. Frequently when the runner is stealing 

third, the batter will make a feint at bunting to 

draw the third-baseman off the base. In this 

case the third-baseman should take a step toward 

the batter as he sees him attempt to bunt — but 

he can stop immediately when the ball is missed by 

the batter — and can cover third in plenty of time 

to take the ball as the catcher throws. If it is 

a bunt, the best you can do is to get the man at 

first; if it is a bluff, there is only one thing for 

you to do — cover your base. 

On a hard-hit ball you have several ways of 
working a double play: 

(i) On a ball hit to your right, and caught near 
the base, touch third and throw to first or second. 

(2) On a ball hit directly at you, or to your 
left, you can sometimes touch the runner coming 



98 BASEBALL 

from second and throw to second, retiring the 
runner from first. 

(3) On a ball hit directly at you — ^when it is 
not possible to touch the runner going to third 
throw to second; from there the double will be 
completed at first base. 

(4) On a line drive (which you catch) you can 
play the ball to second or first. 

These plays are simple enough; but in order 
to play them right you should think them over as 
the batsman takes his position at the plate, plan- 
ning what you would do if the ball be hit to you. 
Do all the thinking you can ahead of time. 

Two out. It is generally safest to play the 
batter, as he has the longest distance to travel. 
But, of course, if the ball is fielded by you close 
to the base, the easiest and safest thing for you 
to do is to touch your base. 

Runners on First, Second, and Third 

None out or one out. If the batter is a hard 
left-field hitter, it is well to play a few paces back 
of the line. Whether or not to play deep and try 
for a double play, letting the man on third score, 
depends upon the score, the stage of the game, 
etc. These conditions are dealt with in Team 
Plays I, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 

On a hard-hit ball, which you field cleanly, your 



THE THIRD-BASEMAN 99 

play would be to throw the ball home, retiring 
the man on a force-out. (The catcher would then 
throw the batter out at first.) 

On a slow-hit ball, of course, you would try to 
get the ball to first base ahead of the batter, im- 
mediately going back to cover your own base to 
receive the ball if it is returned to you by the first- 
baseman. 

Two out. If the ball is hit hard to you, touch 
your base, forcing out the man from second 
(there is no use throwing to another base unless 
you are absolutely forced to do so); otherwise 
throw to first base. 

Runner on Second Base 
(Study Diagram III, page 200.) 

None out. Play as directed with man on first 
and second and none out, always being ready for 
a sacrifice bunt. But never leave your position 
if the runner is stealing third until the ball is either 
hit or missed by the batsman. 

One out. Play as directed with man on first 
and second and one out. Sometimes when the 
ball is hit hard to you, the runner will stop be- 
tween second and third — in this case run him 
back to second — making the put-out at that base. 
(A base-runner, when caught between bases, should 
be run back toward the base from which he came. 



lOO BASEBALL 

If a man is caught between home and third base, 
he should be run back to third and put out there.) 
In case the man at second hasn't started for third 
(or if he is but a few steps from second) throw 
the ball to first — ^you will have plenty of time to 
take a quick look toward second before throwing 
to first. If you fumble the ball and can't get the 
man at first, make a bluff to throw to first, whirl 
and throw to second; on this play the runner on 
second will often start for third on your motion 
to throw to first, and you can catch him off second. 
Two out. Throw to first base to retire the 
runner. 

Runner on Third Base 
(Study Diagram VIII, page 202.) 

One or none out. (See Team Play 12.) 
Tzvo out. Throw to first base. 

Runners on Second and Third Bases 

One or none out. (See Team Plays 10 and 11.) 
Tzvo out. Throw to first base. 

Runners on First, Second, and Third Bases 

One or none out. (See Team Plays i, 2, 3, 4, 
and 5.) 

Two out. Throw to first base or make the 
easiest force-out. 



THE THIRD-BASEMAN loi 

Runners on First and Third Bases 

One or none out. (See Team Plays 6, 7, 8, and 9.) 
Two out. Throw to first base. 

Always, as the batsman takes his position, decide 
what you will do if the hall is hit to you. 



VII 
THE OUTFIELDER 

The outfielder is expected to do more than be- 
come adept at catching ordinary fly balls. He 
should be able to cover all the ground in his sec- 
tion on all sides of him. He should put in at 
least two-thirds of his time catching flies that 
are over his head. (If he cannot find anybody 
to hit the ball over his head during practice while 
he is in his usual position, he should come in 
closer, so as to make the ordinary fly balls go over 
his head.) What is needed is the practice of 
turning and running back while the ball is in the 
air, and stopping in time to turn again to catch 
it. To be able to catch these long flies requires 
a great deal of practice, but the ability is worth 
much work — as this kind of a ball generally goes 
for several bases when allowed to get away. 

In catching fly balls, do not time the ball; that 
is, do not so regulate your speed as to arrive at 
the place where the ball will fall at just the mo- 
ment when it lands. It is safer to run as fast as 



THE OUTFIELDER 103 

possible, get directly under the ball, and wait for 
it to come down. Get started fast after the ball, 
as every fraction of a second lost means a great 
deal. Practise getting started "with the crack of 
the bat," that is, the instant that the ball is hit 
start in its direction. After a great deal of prac- 
tice, it will become natural and easy for you to 
start in the right direction instantly. When you 
know that you can get the hall, call out to the other 
fielders, '^ Mine'* or "/ have it.** The outfielder 
should, when it is possible, catch fly balls in a posi- 
tion from which it is easy to return the ball to 
the infielder without loss of time. For instance, 
if a player after catching a ball has to change the 
position of his feet and shift his whole body be- 
fore he can throw it, it is quite evident that he 
will on occasion lose valuable time. 

When the ball is being returned from the out- 
field to the home-base to retire a runner, it should 
reach the catcher on the first bound — landing ten 
or fifteen feet in front of the plate. This prevents 
all overthrows, and gives the catcher a better op- 
portunity of handHng the ball. Long throws from 
right field to third base should reach the base on 
the first bound — using a long bound to give the 
baseman a chance to handle it. Fielders should 
constantly practise throwing the ball to bases and 
home-plate on the first bound. The ability to 



I04 BASEBALL 

make this throw accurately and swiftly will pre- 
vent many a stolen base. 

Always warm your arm up well before going 
into a game; then when you are called upon to 
throw to the plate, you can do so without injur- 
ing your arm. But don't wait until you go to 
the outfield before warming up; while you are 
waiting for your turn in batting practice, play 
catch, and exercise your arm. 

Figure out ahead of each play what you will do 
with the hall if it is hit to you. This is the most 
important rule in baseball (and appHes to each 
one of the nine players on the field) and should 
never be disregarded. By following this rule, 
you will save time, and your plays will be correct; 
if you wait until you get the ball before thinking 
what to do with it, you will blunder, or play so 
slowly that you lose the man. 

Do not rob other fielders of balls that they can 
easily catch. Many collisions between fielders 
result from a desire to cover too much ground. 
If the ball is hit between two fielders, both should 
start instantly for it — the man who can most 
handily get it calling out, "Mine;" then the other 
withdraws and lets him take it. When your 
neighboring fielder is going back after a fly, you 
can often assist him by calHng out when you think 
it is time for him to turn to catch the ball. 



THE OUTFIELDER 105 

Relaying the Ball to the Home-Plate 

Left-fielder. If the ball is hit past the outfield 
so that the left-fielder can best recover it, the 
centre-fielder should cross over and place himself 
in a position to relay the ball to the infield, the 
short-stop backing up the latter fielder and 
directing him where to throw the ball (while 
the second-baseman covers second base). (See 
Diagram IV, page 200.) 

Centre-fielder. If the ball is hit past the out- 
field so that the centre-fielder can best recover 
it, either the left-fielder or right-fielder who can 
most handily do so should place himself in posi- 
tion to relay the ball to the infield. Either the 
short-stop or second-baseman should back up 
and direct the play — leaving the other to cover 
second. The position of the ball will determine 
who is to assist in the relay and who is to cover 
second base. (See Diagrams V and VI, page 
201.) 

Right-fielder. If the ball is hit past the outfield 
so that the right-fielder can best recover it, the 
centre-fielder should relay the ball to the infield — 
the second-baseman backing up and directing the 
play (while the short-stop covers second base). 
(See Diagram VII, p. 202.) 

(On long-hit balls, in which a relay is neces- 



io6 BASEBALL 

sary from one outfielder to another, throw the 
ball at the fielder assisting you in the relay, not 
over his head, or fifteen or twenty feet either side 
of him.) Relaying the ball to the plate and in- 
field should be practised constantly. 

Backing Up Bases 

Outfielders should always back up their respec- 
tive bases; i. e., the left-fielder takes care of third 
base; centre-fielder takes care of second base; 
and the right-fielder first base. By backing up 
a base is meant standing fifty feet back of the 
base in line with the throw. In backing up a 
base, an outfielder should start in instantly as 
the ball is thrown toward that base; but in case, 
for instance, that he sees a man stealing as the 
pitcher is throwing to the batter, he should not 
leave his position until the ball is either hit or in 
the catcher's hands. (Otherwise the ball might 
be hit into the place which he has left vacant.) 

The left-fielder should back up third base on 
all throws from the catcher to third, on all 
throws from the right-fielder to third, and on 
all throws from first to third. He can be ready 
on throws from first to second. (See Diagrams 
II, VI, VII, VIII, and XII, pages 199-204.) 

The centre-fielder should back up second base 
on all throws to that base from the pitcher and 



THE OUTFIELDER 107 

catcher. (See Diagrams II, III, VIII, and XII, 
pages 199-204.) 

The right-fielder should back up first base on 
throws to first base from the catcher and pitcher — 
and throws from third to first and on bunts thrown 
to first — and he should back up second base, on 
throws from third to second on doubles. (See 
Diagrams I and VIII, pages 199 and 202.) 

It is the duty of outfielders to come in fast 
and back up the infield on all balls hit there (as. 
well as on all balls thrown to bases to retire run- 
ners). (See Diagrams II and VIII, pages 199 and 
202.) Run over close to your neighboring fielder 
when he is catching a fly; then, if necessary, you 
can coach him as to where to throw the ball. 

If two fielders are going after a fly ball which 
goes over their heads, one should chase the ball 
while the other runs toward the diamond to help 
relay the ball to the infield. 

Always take the wind into consideration (its 
direction and velocity) in catching flies and in 
throwing the ball in to the infield. 

It is a good plan frequently to throw dirt or grass 
up in the air to find out what you can about the 
wind. When the wind is blowing in toward the 
diamond, play a short field — that is, nearer than 
usual to the infield. This kind of wind will hold 
the ball up in the air, thus allowing you time to 



io8 BASEBALL 

go back and get fly balls, while by playing close 
you can cut off many short outfield hits. 

When the wind is blowing from the diamond 
toward the outfield, play a deep field — that is, 
a good, long distance from the infield (depending 
on how strong the wind is and on the ability of 
the batter), as the ball will be carried farther than 
ordinarily. 

When the wind is across the diamond, allow 
for balls "carrying" with the wind. When the 
sun is shining in your eyes, use smoked glasses, 
or shade the eyes with the gloved hand (with 
the arm extended). Do not look toward the sun 
except when you have to — look at the grass or 
anywhere but into the sun. Of course, you must 
always know where the ball is and get ready 
as the pitcher takes his position to pitch. 

It is necessary that all fielders have plenty of 
practice handling balls that are hit on the ground, 
as they are much harder to field than the aver- 
age fly ball. Be sure to get your body directly 
in front of the ball, especially if it is hard hit. 
Be content with stopping this kind of a ball — 
you will thereby prevent extra bases, which will 
result if the ball gets past you. If, however, the 
tying or winning run is on first or second base 
and the ball is hit hard on the ground to the out- 
fielder, he should play it like an infielder, that 



THE OUTFIELDER 109 

is, pick it up as cleanly and quickly as possible 
and return it to the infield. 

A very difficult ball to judge is a line drive — 
that is, a fly ball that goes almost on a straight 
line from the bat to the outfielder (without going 
high into the air). Fielders should get a great 
deal of practice on these balls, for if one is mis- 
judged it usually results in a home run for the 
batter. 

Fielders should practise coming in fast on 
ground balls, as the rapid handling of them often 
means shutting off runs at the plate. 

It should be uppermost in every fielder's mind 
to get the ball away from him as rapidly as pos- 
sible, but intelligently. 

Batters who choke their bats (that is, who 
shorten the hitting end of the bat) seldom hit 
long drives; therefore play in for them. 

Learn to play according to individual batters. 
Remember where each batter hits, and shift 
your position accordingly. Right-handed bat- 
ters generally make their long hits in left field 
and left centre field; left-handed batters make 
theirs in right and right centre field. Generally, 
on left-handed batters the left-fielder can play 
in a little toward the infield, because these batters 
seldom make long hits into left field. Of course 
there are left-handed batters who hit equally well 



no BASEBALL 

in any direction; but this fact is readily dis- 
covered and can be guarded against by the fielders. 

When you are playing according to the battery 
signals, do not disclose that fact by changing 
your position before the pitcher delivers the ball 
to the batter. 

When there is one or none out and a man on 
third, with one run needed to win, drop long 
foul flies that are too far to be thrown to the 
plate. The outfield, when their side is two or 
more runs ahead, should not take desperate 
chances of retiring the runner at home-plate; they 
should return the ball to the infield in such a way 
as to prevent the other runners from advancing. 
For instance, if, while there are three men on the 
bases and the side in the field is two or more 
runs ahead, the ball is hit (either in the air or on 
the ground) so that the fielder, upon recovering 
it, sees that he cannot very readily throw home 
in time to retire the runner there, he should throw 
to third base; but if that base cannot be reached 
by the ball in time to head off a runner, he should 
throw to second base. 

With the score standing as above, and a runner 
on first and third, if a fly ball is caught by an out- 
fielder, unless he is within easy throwing distance 
of home-plate, he should throw to second to 
hold the runner on first. If the ball is a base-hit, 
he should throw to third base to prevent the 



THE OUTFIELDER in 

runner from going from first to third. If it is 
more than a base-hit, it should be played accord- 
ing to directions above for " Relaying the Ball to 
the Home-Plate." 

In all other conditions (with the score as above) 
the runner who is going home should be disre- 
garded, if he cannot be readily caught, and the 
ball thrown to prevent the most advanced runner 
from gaining another base. 

When the score is close, toward the last of the 
game, every effort should be made to retire the 
runner going home. During the early part of 
the game desperate chances should not be taken 
to prevent a man from scoring, as this will usually 
allow other runners to advance within scoring 
distance. 

In the last half of the last inning (one or none 
out), when the runner on third base will win the 
game if he scores, the outfielders should come 
in toward the infield within easy throwing dis- 
tance of home-plate. In this case a hit will 
score the man anyway; a fly ball over the fielders' 
heads will score the man (for even if caught it 
cannot be returned in time to head the runner off 
at home), whereas any fly ball caught can be 
thrown home to catch the runner; and then, when 
playing in this way, the outfielder may catch 
many line drives which otherwise would be base- 
hits. 



VIII 
BATTING 

It is entirely unnecessary to dwell upon the 
importance of batting in baseball; suffice it to 
say that if a man hopes ever to become a good 
ball player he must bat well. To some players 
batting comes naturally; by others it is learned 
only with great patience and courage — determina- 
tion. It is a very true saying that "Batters are 
born and not made.'' That, of course, refers to 
natural batters. There is no such a thing as de- 
veloping good batters out of men who have poor 
eyes for batting and bad form in swinging at the 
ball. These men can be corrected as far as their 
general faults go — their batting can be improved; 
but it is a rare exception to the general rule if one 
becomes a good hitter. Otherwise, why would the 
major leagues spend thousands and thousands 
of dollars each year buying new men who can 
bat, and letting once valuable men go who have 
fallen off in their batting? If batters could be 
made, why wouldn't managers keep their own 
players and develop their batting, instead of let- 



BATTING 113 

ting them go (after probably paying large sums 
for them originally) ? However, if players start 
early enough they can overcome many of their 
faults, and can go through the mechanical part 
of batting — their eyes must furnish the rest. 
Most batters can improve with careful study and 
practice. 

The following suggestions should be of assis- 
tance to players who are interested in batting: 

Learn to stand up to the plate without fear of 
being hit by the ball. Remember that the pitcher 
is trying to throw the ball over the plate and not 
at you. All pitchers put their greatest efforts 
into controlling the ball, and to hit a batter is 
considered poor control; therefore never worry 
about being hit. If a speedy ball comes directly 
at you, step away, always watching the ball; 
but if a half-speed ball — or one which you can 
easily tell is not meant for a fast one — comes at 
you, keep your position and be ready to hit it, 
because in all probability it will be a curve which 
will break over the base. Do not let the pitcher 
drive you away from the plate. Determine just 
what position is best for you to take — and keep it. 
If the pitcher throws fast balls close to your body, 
do not whirl away, turning your back to the ball; 
for if you do you will let many curved balls go 
over the base. The safest way on the close ball 



114 BASEBALL 

IS to step away from the plate, if possible keeping 
the back leg stationary, all the while facing the 
pitcher, with the bat ready to hit the ball if it 
comes over the plate. 

Hold the bat firmly in both hands, keeping 
your elbows away from your sides so as to swing 
freely (thus avoiding the awkward, cramped swing 
which is so ineffective) and using a vigorous snap 
of the forearms. 

Keep the back foot firmly on the ground. 

Your step forward and swing should be made 
both at the same time (or as nearly so as possible). 
The greatest difficulty to overcome is that of 
stepping too quickly. By stepping too quickly 
you make the step and the swing two separate 
motions at different times; this makes it difficult 
for you to hit the ball. 

Another difficulty is that of stepping tpo far. 
If you take a very long stride, you naturally lower 
the plane in which you hit — ^you virtually become 
shorter than when you take a smaller stride — 
and balls which the umpire will call strikes will 
be high for you. These difficulties can be over- 
come by watching yourself, thinking constantly, 
and persistently trying. 

Never swing at the ball with all your power — 
for the harder you swing the more likely you are 
to miss the ball, since you take your eye off the 
\ 



BATTING IIS 

ball by the viciousness of your effort. Learn to 
take a steady, true swing, bringing the bat around 
in a plane parallel to the ground, and keeping your 
eye on the ball. Hit at the ball where you see 
it is — not where you guess it is. 

Hitting ability depends a great deal upon the 
strength of the forearms and wrists, as the bat 
is brought around faster if the forearms are used; 
therefore, develop them. Early in the season 
swing three bats as often as possible, and just 
before going to bat swing three. In addition to 
actually strengthening the wrists, swinging three 
bats immediately before going up to hit makes 
the one bat seem much lighter and more easily 
handled against speed. 

A most important element in batting is timing 
the pitcher's motion. By some regular motion 
of your body or bat, get into the rhythm of the 
pitcher's swing. Do this while you are standing 
waiting for your turn, as well as when you are at 
bat. The batter should also study the combina- 
tions of balls which the pitcher uses; for instance, 
whether he depends chiefly upon curves or fast 
balls; whether the first ball is usually straight 
or curved; whether he is using a change of pace, 
and how. 

Get into the habit of hitting ahead of you — 
meet the ball well in front of you. By so doing 



Ii6 BASEBALL 

you will be the aggressor, instead of waiting to 
see what the ball will do and generally hitting 
too late. 

Do not try to hit all balls into one field. If 
you are right-handed, pull close balls into left 
field, and drive wide balls into right field (and vice 
versa if you are a left-handed batter). If you 
are known to hit regularly into one particular 
section of the field, you w411 observe that the op- 
posing fielders shift into that section. You may 
be sure that the pitcher knows of your tendency 
to hit into that particular field and that he will 
pitch probably to your weakness (that is, he will 
try to make you hit the ball in a direction which 
is unusual for you). For instance, suppose that 
you are a right-handed batter and that you hit 
all (cm: nearly all) balls to left field. The outfield 
and infield, when you are at bat, will shift toward 
left field; and the pitcher will try to keep the 
ball away from you — that is, on the outside cor- 
ner of the base. Now, if you are intelligent you 
will reahze all this; and, instead of trying to pull 
the outside ball to left field, you will try to push 
it to right field, which the fielders, in shifting, have 
left unprotected. 

Many batters fail to hit the ball successfully 
because they lower their bat and hit up at the 
ball, the only ball they can hit at all being a 



BATTING 117 

very low one (this will be very evident to the 
pitcher, who will keep them all high). Keep the 
bat and the weight of the body as far as possible 
above the ball, hitting down at it rather than up, 
hut frejerahly in a plane parallel with the ground. 
Keep the weight of the body on the back leg, 
which should be well braced. Don't squat or 
bend your knees to hit a low ball; rather keep the 
back leg almost stiff and "golf" or "cricket" the 
ball. 

A right-handed batter, especially, should avoid 
hitting hard at the ball, for such a motion will 
throw him away off his stride in starting for first 
base; he will have to lose valuable time in recov- 
ering himself for his run to first. Use the arms, 
forearms, and wrists. 

Don't use a bat that feels heavy in your hands; 
use one that you can snap ahead of a fast ball. 
Do not be afraid of striking out; take a good, 
steady, hard swing at the ball (that does not mean 
striking with all your might) ; then, if you hit it, it 
will go far enough. If you are afraid of missing 
it and only hit half-heartedly, you will either miss 
it entirely or knock a miserable little "roller." 

Only natural hitters should use long bats — a 
man who has a good eye for judging both speed 
and curves can grasp his bat by the end; but 
the ordinary batter will get better results by using 



Ii8 BASEBALL 

a short bat or by grasping a long bat four or 
five inches from the handle (choking it). This 
shorter bat enables him to follow the ball closely 
with his eyes while he snaps the bat around to 
meet the ball. 

Many batters hit late at the ball because they 
make two motions of their swing; that is, they 
wait until the ball has left the pitcher's hand 
before drawing the bat back to swing; then they 
jerk it back and swing forward — too late to meet 
the ball squarely. Keep the bat well behind 
you and, as the pitcher throws the ball, make 
but one motion and that toward the ball, meet- 
ing it in front of the plate. 

When stepping forward to hit, point the toe of 
the front foot into the diamond — otherwise you 
will be off your balance if the ball comes on the 
inside corner of the plate, and naturally you 
cannot hit it. (If a batter does not point his toe 
into the diamond when he steps, a close ball will 
make him lift his toes and fall back, rising on his 
heels.) 

Take your step and get the bat ready to hit 
every ball pitched. Don't assume too early that 
the ball will be bad and then stand there unpre- 
pared to hit it if it should go over the base. 

A right-handed batter should hit a left-handed 
pitcher's fast ball with confidence, since this ball 




COMPLETION OF A CORRECT SWING IN HITTING. 

The batter has maintained such poise as to have avoided the vice of throwing 
himself off balance and of turning his back toward the pitcher. 



BATTING 119 

breaks away from the batter; a left-handed bat- 
ter has the same advantage over a right-handed 
pitcher. 

A very good practice is that of standing in the 
batter's position whenever a pitcher is throwing 
to a catcher (it isn't even necessary for you to 
have a bat in your hands) and decide which balls 
you would hit at and which you would let go by. 
This is good training for the eye. 

A batter who can't hit a close ball should not 
stand near the base, as by so doing he makes 
even good balls close. He should get away from 
the plate — a foot if necessary; then any ball that 
looks close will be inside of the base and conse- 
quently not a strike. And again, if a batter likes 
a close ball but can't hit a wide one, he should 
hug the plate, that is, put his feet as close to the 
plate as the umpire will let him. 

Most batters have certain weak spots, that is, 
they have difficulty in hitting the ball if it is 
thrown in certain places, or in certain ways. 
Many batters cannot hit a ball that looks as 
though it were going to hit them but curves over 
the base; many batters have an irresistible im- 
pulse to hit at high balls; weaknesses of this na- 
ture can be overcome to a great degree by con- 
stant practice and thinking. If you can't hit a 
curved ball, go out on the field early every day 



I20 BASEBALL 

and have somebody throw curve ball after curve 
ball at you; gradually you will become accus- 
tomed to that kind of a ball and it will lose its 
terror for you. If you can't resist a ball that is 
high (and you find that you can't hit it), have a 
player throw plenty of high balls at you — but 
let them all go. This practice will generally 
break the spell which the high ball has over you. 
If there are other points at which you are not 
strong, put special attention on just these points 
until you can control them. 

When taking your position to bat (with a 
runner on first base) you can often tell who will 
cover second base by the distances from the base 
which the short-stop and second-baseman are 
playing. So, if, for instance, you are a left-field 
hitter and the short-stop is playing well back for 
you, try to hit to the right on the hit-and-run 
play (since the second-baseman will be covering 
second). 

Bunting 

The importance of successful bunting cannot 
be overemphasized. Many games are won and 
lost either by the ability or inabiHty of the players 
to bunt. Bunting is one of the first things to be 
learned by a ball player; he should spend hour 
after hour if necessary in practising it, and he 



BATTING 121 

should continue to practise it throughout his 
career, never allowing himself to become weak at it. 

Bunting means allowing the bat to be struck 
by the ball in such a way that it will roll slowly 
on the ground into the diamond. When intend- 
ing to bunt, be sure to conceal your intention as 
long as possible. And the most successful way 
to do this is to develop a bunting motion that is 
as near like your hitting motion as you can make 
it. Hold the bat as though you were going to 
hit; then, as the pitcher delivers the ball, take 
your usual step, bringing the bat forward with the 
body, the hands spread apart five or six inches, 
gripping the bat loosely, and holding it parallel 
to the ground. In directing the ball to the left 
or right, the hand which has been run out toward 
the middle of the bat should be used as a pivot 
while the other turns the bat. If the ball is low, 
the bat should not be dropped to meet it; the body 
should be bent as you carry the bat down to meet 
the ball, in this way following the course of the 
ball closely. 

When you are called upon to make a sacrifice 
bunt, remember that the primary reason for your 
doing so is to advance the base-runner, and not to 
put yourself safely on first base. Therefore stand 
there and bunt the ball before you think of any- 
thing else. {For direction when to make the sac- 



122 BASEBALL 

rifice hunt see Team Play 19.) When you are 
called upon to make a sacrifice bunt, pick out a 
good hall I This is the only time when the batter 
can control the bat in such a way as to let all bad 
balls go by; therefore, when bunting, be sure 
that the ball is over the base between the shoulder 
and the knee. 

A fast runner can diversify his style of play 
while at bat (when there are no runners on bases), 
either by bunting the ball or using the drag-hit 
(see Team Play 21) and trying to beat the ball 
to first base. Then the next time he comes up 
to bat the infield will probably play in for him, 
thus increasing his opportunity of hitting safely. 
Frequently even a slow runner, when the infield 
is playing back, can bunt and reach first base 
safely. The batter should always be ready to 
do the unexpected thing; it will then be difficult 
for opponents to diagnose his intentions. If the 
batter is to sacrifice a runner from second to third, 
and the opposing short-stop is holding the runner 
close to second (being about to attempt Team 
Play 15), the batter, using his own judgment, or, 
upon receiving a signal from his manager, can 
hit the ball through short-stop, as that position 
is left open. (This play ought, however, to be 
left to the discretion of the individual captain or 
manager.) 



BATTING 123 

The Hit-and-Run Play 

See Team Play 22. 

When the sign for the hit-and-run play is given, 
the batter should make every possible efFort to 
hit the ball if it is within reach of his club. But 
if the ball is completely out of his reach, the 
batter might just as well let it go (for the fact 
that he merely swings at it won't bother the 
catcher). 

Whenever a batter has two strikes, he should 
not hit at a bad ball to help a base-runner who is 
stealing a base, especially when, with two out, the 
runner is going from first to second. 

The Squeeze Play 

See Team Play 23. 

In order to make this play successfully, learn 
to bunt! 

The batter should practise giving signals in an 
easy, natural manner, and in order to conceal his 
signals he should be constantly making motions 
that have nothing to do with his particular signals. 

When the batter (with no strikes) sees that 
the runner on second base is going to steal (unless 
he is playing the hit-and-run) he may at times 
make a feint to bunt the ball, thus drawing the 
third-baseman off his base. 



124 BASEBALL 

The batter, when leading off in an inning, or 
at any other time when there are no runners on 
bases and none out, should generally take one 
strike before hitting at the ball (that is, he should 
deliberately allow a strike to be called on him). 
If there are three balls against the batter, he 
should take two strikes before hitting. By 
adopting this method the batter will frequently 
force the pitcher to give him four balls. 

With no one on base and one or two out, the 
batter should try to get the pitcher in the hole 
(that is, get the advantage over him in balls and 
strikes) and then should be ready to hit the 
next ball. The reason for doing this is that the 
batter will be fairly sure of getting a good ball 
as soon as the pitcher is in the hole. 

When there is a runner on second and third 
base, or second or third, the batter with two balls 
and no strikes should not take a strike but should 
hit the first good ball. Even with three balls 
and no strikes it is frequently considered advis- 
able to hit the next good ball, especially if the 
batsman is a good hitter. Of course, a batsman 
who is not a good hitter should always try to get 
a base on balls. 



IX 

BASE-RUNNING 

The Importance of Getting Started from 
THE Home-Plate 

The distance from home to first base, although 
actually ninety feet, is really much longer than 
the distance between any of the other bases for 
the runner. The truth of this statement will be 
apparent when one realizes that, while runners 
on other bases often get as much as twelve or 
thirteen feet leads before the ball is even thrown 
to the batter, the batter starts flat-footed right 
from the plate. Even to the left-handed batter, 
who has the advantage over the right-handed 
batter, the distance is long — at most he can get 
but a single step as the ball is hit — while the right- 
handed batter always has more than ninety feet 
to run. 

The right-handed hatter, being at a disadvantage 
compared with the left-handed batter (as far as 
getting to first base is concerned), should reduce 
his swing as much as possible — because as he 
swings he throws himself farther away from first 
base. 

I2S 



126 BASEBALL 

The left-handed batter throws himself toward 
first base as he swings, and therefore has three 
or four steps advantage over the right-handed 
batter. 

Batters should always "run out" all hit balls at 
top speed. Often what seems like a sure out will 
result in the batter's being safe at first if he will 
but go down the base-line fast. Learn to touch 
the base with either foot as you continue your 
stride across the base — do not jump at the base 
on the last step; continue a steady, swift stride. 
On all fly balls and balls that are hit safely, instead 
of continuing straight ahead over first base, begin 
at about twenty feet from the plate and go out of 
the base-line, circling around before crossing the 
base, turning the base sharply, thus getting a run- 
ning start for second. (By making this turn at 
first base — see Diagram XIII, page 205 — ^you will 
be enabled to run to second without circling far 
outside of the base-lines.) Then if the fly ball be 
dropped you are in a position to go to second — 
if the base-hit be fumbled, you are ready to 
stretch the single into a two-base-hit; if it be a 
short two-base-hit, you can make it with greater 
certainty than if you were to overrun first base. 

When on base, always follow the ball closely; 
never step ofF the base until you know exactly 
where the ball is — you will always have plenty of 



BASE-RUNNING 127 

time to get your lead as the pitcher takes his po- 
sition on the rubber. (This is a most important 
rule, and the best players are frequently put out 
when they disregard it.) Another safe rule to 
follow is that of not trying to take your lead ofF 
the base when the pitcher is standing out of his 
box. 

When returning to first base, keep your eyes 
on the ball. (The pitcher may snap it to first if 
you aren't looking.) 

The Lead off First Base 

It is generally conceded that the most impor- 
tant part of base-running is the lead ofF the base 
and the quick start. And the distance which 
the base-runner can go from the base while the 
pitcher is in possession of the ball can only be 
determined by the individual runner after much 
practice, A left-handed pitcher usually compels 
the runner to stay closer to first base than does a 
right-handed pitcher, since the former faces the 
base and can throw either to the batter or to first 
v/ith almost the same motion. 

The lead off first base depends first of all upon 
the runner's ability to slide back to the base 
when the pitcher throws to catch him. A great 
deal of time should be spent in practising the 
slide back to first base — sometimes feet first, 



128 BASEBALL 

sometimes head first. And in games it will be 
discovered that on some pitchers a longer lead 
can be taken than on others; the lead can be 
increased proportionately — always determined by 
the runner's ability to return safely to the base. 
At the same time, it is absolutely necessary that 
the runner be able to go in either direction — back 
to the base or on to second; therefore get off just 
as far as you can, always being able to return 
safely, or go to second as the pitcher makes his 
motion to throw. A good lead is necessary whether 
you intend to steal or not. 

The Quick Start 

In base-stealing, as well as in base-running gen- 
erally, success depends not only on a big lead, 
but upon the quick start — that is, getting started 
as soon as possible before the ball leaves the 
pitcher's hand as he makes his motion to deliver 
the ball to the batter. Almost all pitchers make 
a motion with some part of the body (arm, head, 
shoulder, foot, etc.) that betrays the fact that 
they will throw to the batter. A careful study of 
the pitcher will disclose this motion, a knowledge 
of which will be of great assistance to the base- 
runner. When you are going to steal a base or 
play the hit and run, look for this motion, and 
as soon as you see it start for the next base. 



BASE-RUNNING 129 

(Much may be gained by close observation from 
the bench when you are not at bat.) 

The Fall-Away Slide 

(See cut facing page 130.) In gaining any base 
(except in running from home to first) or returning 
to any base when there is a possibility of being 
put out, the runner should slide feet first. (Slid- 
ing head first offers too great an opportunity for 
the baseman to block the runner off the base.) 
What is called the fall-away slide is the most 
effective. The fall-away slide is one wherein the 
runner approaching a base throws his body out of 
the base-line, landing on his side, and hooking the 
base with the foot of the uppermost leg, sliding 
on the under leg bent beneath him. Some play- 
ers slide on the under leg extended, but in this 
case great care must be exercised not to catch the 
spikes of the heel of the under foot in the ground. 
(Many wrenched ankles result from catching the 
heel spikes in the ground while sliding.) When 
sliding back to first base, the runner falls to his 
left, sliding on his left leg bent beneath him, and 
hooking the base with the instep or toe of the 
right foot. 

Every baseball player should know how to use 
the fall-away slide. The first consideration in 
learning this slide is a pair of sliding pads — cov- 



I30 BASEBALL 

ering for the hips — to prevent the skin from being 
burned by the friction. Then pick out a place 
where the soil is soft; use some kind of a stationary 
base at which to slide, and begin by taking short 
runs at the base. Do not jump directly at the 
base, but endeavor to slide away from it, catch- 
ing the base with the toe of the foot which is 
uppermost. When sliding to the left, hook with 
right toe — and when sliding to the right, use the 
left toe. The advantage of this sHde is that the 
baseman has only a small portion of your body 
to touch with the ball — that is, your foot which 
you hook to the base as your body falls away. 
It is a great advantage to a base-runner to be able 
to slide on both sides. For instance, if he is 
stealing second, and the catcher throws the ball 
low (he can tell by watching the baseman's hands) 
a slide to the left would put him in an easy posi- 
tion to be tagged; while if he slid to the right 
he would be getting out of the way of the base- 
man. On a high throw either slide would do. 

It is rarely necessary to slide to first base when 
running from home. It is doubtful whether any 
time is really saved; it certainly makes the 
umpire's decision more difficult, and most man- 
agers discourage it. 

Only continual practice will tell a player how 
far from the base he should begin his sHde. The 




A slide of such velocity as to carry the body widely off the base-line 
THE FALL-AWAY SLIDE. 



BASE-RUNNING 131 

only safe way is to run at full speed and practise 
hooking the base; if your speed carries you past 
the base, do not lessen your speed but begin your 
slide sooner, that is, farther from the base. It 
is always very dangerous to slacken your speed 
before sliding; many broken ankles have resulted 
when runners have attempted to slow up and 
then slide. 

A base-runner, when stealing a base, should not 
look back toward the catcher. Such an action 
is certain to lessen the runner's speed somewhat. 
He should get his start, run with all his speed — 
eyes riveted on the base and the man covering 
it — and slide when he is within striking distance. 

He should practise getting up on his feet with 
all possible speed after he has sHd to a base, to 
take advantage of any misplay that may offer 
him opportunity to go to the next base. 

In stealing second base, always get a good lead, 
but do not communicate to the pitcher and 
catcher the fact that you intend to steal. (If 
you do, they will work the pitch-out sign to catch 
you at second, or the pitcher will keep throwing 
to first to hold you close to the base.) It is well, 
even when you do not intend to steal, to get a 
good big lead — being ready, of course, to return 
to the base at the slightest motion of the pitcher. 
(Fast base-runners in this way often worry the 



132 BASEBALL 

pitcher into giving bases on halls to the batters.) 
If the ball is hit when you are attempting to steal, 
try to follow the ball with your eyes, especially 
if it is a fly ball. If the ball is hit safely, use your 
judgment and try to go to third base; of course, 
if it is a short safe hit, or directly into a fielder's 
hands, only try to draw the throw to third by 
rounding second sharply as if intending to con- 
tinue on to third. (Sometimes the fielder, in try- 
ing to "head you off" at third, will make an 
overthrow to that base.) If it is a fly ball, stop 
between the bases — ready to go to second if it 
is dropped, or back to first if caught. Good judg- 
ment will have to be used to decide how far from 
first to play as the ball is caught. For instance, 
if the ball is hit to left field, the runner can safely 
play half-way to second, since, even if the ball is 
caught, he can return in safety to first base; but 
if a fly ball is hit to short right field, he cannot 
play very far off" the base, as a quick throw to 
the base might beat him back to it, completing 
a double play. 

Base-Runner on First 

When on first base with none out, the runner, 
expecting the batter to bunt, should be on the 
alert; for if the batter misses the ball, the catcher 
is apt to return the ball sharply to the first-base- 



BASE-RUNNING 133 

man or to the second-baseman, who has come in 
behind and covered first base. Therefore, if the 
ball is not hit by the batter, be ready to return 
quickly to first base — all the while watching the 
catcher, who has the ball. 

Three strikes on the batter, when there is one 
or no one out, puts him out; don't think you are 
forced to run if the catcher drops the third strike. 

One out. In this case the runner may steal 
without assistance from the batter, or work with 
the batter in the hit-and-run play (as he may do 
also with none out). 

When a runner is on first base, he should do 
all in his power to avoid being involved in a 
double play. The greater the lead he can get 
before the ball is hit, the greater are his chances 
of reaching second before the ball can be played 
there. It is for this reason that the hit-and-run 
play is used; even when the ball isn't hit safely, 
it must be fielded very sharply to shut the man 
off at second. And when the ball is hit safely, 
frequently the great start will enable the man who 
was on first to go to third, especially if the ball 
is hit to right field. 

When the hit-and-run signal is given (see Hit- 
and-Run Signals, Team Play 22), get your accus- 
tomed lead off first, and start as though you were 
going to steal clean — don't depend upon the 



134 BASEBALL 

batter's hitting the ball. If he misses it, take 
your fade-away sHde into second with all your 
speed. If the batter does hit the ball, take a 
quick look at the ball. If in your judgment you 
can go to third base, do so, always calculating 
on your own speed and the abihty of the fielder 
to throw. If, when occupying first, second, or 
third, a long fly ball is hit which you think is far 
enough away to permit your advancing a base 
when it is caught, return to the base you are 
occupying and start for the next base instantly 
as the fielder catches the ball. Here careful judg- 
ment must be used by the base-runner taking into 
consideration his own speed, the position of the 
ball, and the fielder's throwing abihty. Of course, 
with two out, the runner should continue to ad- 
vance, regardless of the position of ball, etc. 

Two out. Whenever the runner is fairly fast 
he should steal second (except when the pitcher 
is batting, for if the runner is caught at second, 
the pitcher will have to start the batting in the 
next inning). But if the side be several runs be- 
hind — where one run won't make much difference 
in the score — the runner should play safely, wait- 
ing for a hit to send him around. 

It is, of course, not advisable generally to steal on 
the first ball pitched, for it is likely to be a waste 
ball thrown on purpose to catch him at second. 



BASE-RUNNING 135 

When it is possible, steal when the pitcher is 
in the hole; that is, when there are several balls 
and fewer strikes on the batter. 

Base-Runner on Second (or First 
AND Second) 

First of all — watch the ball. When the 
pitcher has it — and is in his box— then the runner 
can safely take his lead. The lead off second 
should be such that the runner can get back to 
the base safely when the pitcher turns to throw to 
that base. And the runner should never go hack to 
the base unless the pitcher turns toward second; then 
he should slide hack to the hase. It is bad baseball 
for a runner to take such a big lead off second 
base that he is constantly worrying about being 
caught. The short-stop will continually try to 
drive the runner back to the base by feinting to 
go to the base; for instance, the pitcher will look 
over his shoulder at the runner, and as he does 
so the short-stop will start as though to cover 
second, whereupon the runner (if he has a big 
lead) will start back to second a step or two — 
possibly more; at that instant the pitcher will 
throw to the batter, leaving the runner going 
back to second. And if the batter hit safely, 
the runner will probably be thrown out at the 
plate, whereas he would have scored had he been 



136 BASEBALL 

going toward third instead of back to second 
when the ball was hit. 

Another instance in which it is fatal to be driven 
back toward second base is the following: 

Suppose you are on second base — no one out — 
and your side wants a run badly, and the batter 
intends to sacrifice you to third. The pitcher will 
look back at you, the short-stop going all the way 
to second; then, as you return to second, the 
pitcher puts a nice ball over the base; the bat- 
ter bunts, the pitcher or first-baseman fields the 
ball, and you are thrown out at third base — 
just because you allowed yourself to be driven 
back to second (when the pitcher did not turn 
to throw to that base). Therefore, never return 
to second or start that way — unless the pitcher 
turns around to throw there. Take a good lead 
but let it be such that it will enable you to go 
back to the base safely when the pitcher does 
throw to catch you; then you will always be 
ready to advance toward third on the pitcher's 
motion as he delivers the ball to the plate. 

Runner on Second 

None out. The base-runner, if possible, should 
observe the catcher's signals (calHng for the fast 
or curve ball) and by some prearranged signal, 
such as a motion of the hand or foot, should com- 



BASE-RUNNING 137 

municate to the batter what kind of a ball is 
coming. 

A bunt may be expected, especially if the batter 
is a weak hitter. Play safely, don't take many 
chances. Don't be "bluffed" back to second. On 
a short, clean hit turn third swiftly and be ready 
to score in case of the ball being fumbled. If 
the ball is fielded cleanly, feint to go home, thus 
drawing a throw to the home-plate, which will 
allow the batter to go to second. 

One out. Take a good lead and score on a hit. 
Be ready for hit-and-run play, but stop between 
the bases on a fly ball to the outfield. A speedy 
man occasionally can get a good lead and steal 
third — always being on the alert, however, not to 
give away the intention of stealing — and ready to 
return to second if the pitcher turns. It is well 
not to get into the habit of depending on the 
coachers to keep you informed as to what the 
short-stop and second-baseman are doing. Watch 
the pitcher, and be able to return if he throws to 
catch you. (In a game where excitement among 
the spectators runs high, it is impossible to hear 
the coachers anyway.) 

If, on a hit to the infield, with no one on first, 
you are clearly caught at third, don't run to that 
base to be tagged out — run up and down between 
the bases, allowing the batter time to go to second. 



138 BASEBALL 

When a long fly ball is hit, return to your base 
and, calculating on your own speed, etc., try to 
go to third as the fielder catches the ball — remem- 
bering to slide, as, of course, since you are not 
forced, the baseman must touch you. 

Watch every opportunity to go to third on a 
passed ball or on error. 

Two out. Score on all hit balls. Do not at- 
tempt to steal third unless you can do so easily 
without risk, for you can score from second on a 
hit as well as from third. 

Runner on Third 

When occupying third base, play outside of the 
base-line, because a ball which hits you there 
will not put you out, for you will be on foul ground. 

Always lead well up the base-line on the pitcher's 
delivery so as to score on a short passed ball or 
any other misplay. But do not run away up the 
base-line upon the pitcher's wind-up motion, and 
then, as he delivers the ball to the batter, start 
back to third, knowing that you are beyond your 
safe distance. By doing this you lose all oppor- 
tunity to score on a misplay, because you are going 
in the wrong direction. 

Never leave third base (unless there are two 
out) on any kind of a long fly or line hit to the 
outfield until you see that the ball is either caught 



BASE-RUNNING 139 

or dropped or is a base-hit. If it is a hase-hit you 
can almost walk home safely; if the fly is dropped, 
you can score easily; and if the fly is caught, you 
are in a position to score after the catch. Many 
base-runners start home on line drives or fly balls 
that are caught. They are therefore compelled 
to return and touch third after the ball is caught, 
thus throwing away their opportunity to score; 
for the fielder, with this assistance on the runner's 
part, can easily get the ball home ahead of the 
runner. 

None out. Play safely. If the infield is play- 
ing in close to get you at the plate and the ball 
is hit to an infielder, do not try to score; let him 
throw the batter out at first (you will have two 
chances left in which to score). But if the infield 
is playing deep, your chances to score are in- 
creased — especially on a slow hit ball; then take 
a chance at scoring. 

If there is a man on third and one on second 
— none out — and the game is nearing its close, 
and the run on third is the winning run, the man 
on third should come home fast on the hit; for 
if he is caught at the home-plate the man on 
second will go to third, and his run can yet win 
the game. On the other hand, if two runs are 
needed to win (under the above conditions), play 
safely, letting the fielder throw the batter out 



I40 BASEBALL 

at first, and leaving second and third occupied by 
runners as before the hit. 

One out. If the ball is hit to the infield, go 
home at top speed; but if you are plainly out at 
home, stop and run up and down the line, com- 
pelling the catcher and third-baseman to make 
as many throws as possible; thereby enabling the 
batter to reach second base before you are put 
out. (The batter must watch for this play, and 
lose no time in getting to second base, from 
which position he can score on a base-hit.) 

Two out. Get a good lead — be going toward 
home as the ball is pitched (be ready to return to 
third if the catcher throws there) and watch for 
the slightest opportunity to score. 

Sometimes, if the pitcher has a long, slow 
wind-up, a speedy man can steal home by getting 
a fast start as the pitcher winds up. 

Score on all hit balls, whether they are hit on 
the ground or in the air. 

Runners on First and Third 

With the bases occupied in this manner, it is 
usually a case of the man on third out-guessing 
the catcher. (When several runs behind, play 
safely and wait for the hit to score you.) 

There are several ways of playing the man on 
third to score: 



BASE-RUNNING 141 

(i) As the man on first starts for second, the 
man on third starts for home. Then, if the catcher 
throws to second — whether the throw be inter- 
cepted by the second-baseman or not — the man on 
third can score easily. Of course, if the catcher 
only feints to throw and holds the ball (or throws 
to the pitcher), the man is clearly out at home. 
That is the chance that must be taken. (It is 
a play that is usually made by slow runners, and 
is either a very successful one or a flat failure.) 

(2) The man takes a good lead off third and, 
as the man on first starts for second, notes what 
the catcher does. If the catcher throws to second, 
he dashes for the plate. (The success of this play 
depends upon the speed of the runner and the 
manner in which the ball is thrown from the plate 
and returned to it.) 

(3) If one run is needed very badly and there 
are two out (with a poor batter up), the following 
play may be attempted : The runner on first takes 
an unusually big lead (the man on third, observing 
the lead, diagnoses the play and is ready to do 
his part); then, if the pitcher throws to first, the 
man starts for second; on the instant that the 
first-baseman draws his arm back to throw to 
second the man on third runs for home. The 
same play may be made somewhat differently: 
While the pitcher has the ball the runner starts 



142 BASEBALL 

for second; then, as the pitcher turns to throw 
to second, the man scores from third. 

On all of the above plays (except when there 
are two out), if the man is clearly out at home, 
he should stop and run up and down the line be- 
tween home and third to give the runner from 
first time to get to third. 

Whenever there are more runners than one on 
bases, each runner should always watch the man 
ahead. If he goes to the next base, he should be 
followed by the man behind him, as the head 
runner will usually attract the attention of the op- 
ponents. The following misplay, where three hits 
and no runs are made in one inning, is frequently 
made because the second man on base fails to 
watch the man ahead of him: First man up singles; 
second man singles (men on first and second, no 
one out) ; the third man up makes a short, clean 
hit to the outfield, the man on second stops at 
third; while the man who was on first continues 
on to third, thinking (without looking to see) that 
the man ahead of him is scoring. Of course, the 
man who was on first is put out. The next man 
up hits into a double play. 

The Delayed Steal 

(See Team Play 24.) This play is made by a 
runner on first base. It can be made successfully 



BASE-RUNNING 143 

only against a catcher who works automatically, 
that is, who catches and returns the ball to the 
pitcher without watching the runner. The runner 
on first takes a good lead but does not start for 
second until the catcher has the ball; then, just as 
the catcher is making his motion of returning the 
ball to the pitcher, the runner starts for second — 
before the ball has left the catcher's hand. The 
catcher must then draw his arm back again to 
throw to second, taking a full swing. The short- 
stop and second-baseman are often caught un- 
prepared. 

Coaching on First and Third Bases 

Although the coacher cannot touch the runner, 
yet it is very important that there be men sta- 
tioned on the coaching lines at first and third 
bases to give instructions to the runners. Third- 
base coaching is the more important, very fre- 
quently games being won or lost according to the 
judgment of this coacher. It is advisable to use a 
set of signals given by motion of the hands in 
directing the play of a runner coming to third 
base. He must be told either to slide to third, or 
stop there, or continue home. 

The position of a man coaching on third base 
should not be in a direct line between second and 
third but at a point ten or fifteen feet from third 



144 BASEBALL 

toward home-base. From this position he will 
be able to watch at the same time the runner and 
the ball. As soon as possible the coacher should 
decide whether or not it is safe to send the runner 
home and should instantly direct him accordingly. 
He must know the game thoroughly, and must 
have a quick eye to judge distances and a quick 
brain in giving directions. He should only let the 
man score when, in his judgment, the stage of 
the game or inning, speed of runner, and position 
of ball justify the attempt. 

First-Base Coacher's Remarks to the 
Runner, First Base Occupied 

"Hold your base until the pitcher is on the 
rubber." 

"Get a good lead." 

"Look out for a throw from the catcher." 

"Watch the second-baseman coming in behind 
you." 

"Stop a double play." 

"Half-way on short fly balls." 

"Two men out, run on everything (hit)." 

"Go to second on a long fly." 

Coacher's Remarks, Second Base Occupied 

"Watch the ball." 

"Lead up with the pitcher's motion." 



BASE-RUNNING 145 

"Don't go back unless the pitcher turns to 
throw." 

"Half-way on close fly balls." 

"No one out, play it safe." 

"Steal on a long fly to right field." 

"One out — get the jump and score on a hit." 

"Two out — score on everything." 

Coacher's Remarks, Third Base Occupied 

"Hold the base until pitcher gets on the rubber." 

"Follow the pitch." 

"Keep on foul ground." 

"Be ready for a short passed ball." 

"Hold your base on fly balls to outfield." 

"No one out — play it safe." 

"One out — score on infield hit." 



X 

TEAM PLAYS 

The Reasons for the Infield Assuming 
Various Positions on the Diamond 

When the entire infield is playing back there 
is a comparatively small space through which the 
ball can be hit safely (on the ground). Nearly 
all balls that are not "line drives,'' that is, balls 
hit with terrific speed, are readily handled by 
the infielders. And even on very hard hit balls 
the short-stop and second-baseman are able to 
cover considerable ground; of course, the farther 
back the first-baseman and third-baseman play, 
the more ground they can cover. (See Diagram 

IX, page 203.) Take, for instance. Team Play 
No. I, following, where, with three on base, the 
entire infield plays back. Here they have raised 
to the maximum the chances of stopping all hit 
balls and of retiring the runners either singly or 
by double plays. 

When the entire infield plays in (see Diagram 

X, page 203), they have come so close to the batter 
that they have no time to judge hard hit balls — 

146 



TEAM PLAYS 147 

and unless the ball be hit directly at them they 
cannot handle it; they have reduced to the mini- 
mum their abiHty to cover ground. Therefore, 
with a man on third (or first, second, and third, 
etc.), instead of playing in at all times to prevent 
the men from scoring, it is sometimes wiser to al- 
low the run to score while playing back in hopes of 
making a double play — or retiring one man and 
preventing more than one run from scoring. 
We will take up Team Play No. i again. Here, if 
the infielders play in (when their side can spare 
two runs and still be ahead) and try to cut ofF 
one man at the plate, they run grave risks of 
having the ball hit through them, scoring two men 
and leaving a man on first and second and no one 
retired by the play. 

For illustration of how much more ground the 
infield can cover when playing back than while 
playing in, see Diagram XI, page 204. 

In play No. 2 (following) the men are again 
shifted. These positions combine to a marked 
degree the efficiency of both playing back and 
playing in (but reducing the abihty of the first- 
baseman and third-baseman to cover ground). 
Here the first-baseman, third-baseman, and pitcher 
are in positions either to retire the runner at 
home-base or to make the double play, while the 
short-stop and second-baseman, in playing back. 



148 BASEBALL 

are protecting their team against the ball's being 
hit through their positions; that is, balls on their 
left or right or into the air, which they could not 
have handled had they been playing in. The 
short-stop and second-baseman are also in position 
to make the double play. In Team Play 5 the 
short-stop and second-baseman, by playing only 
a few paces back of the base-line, are able either 
to make the double play at second and first or to 
retire the runner at home if the ball be hit sharply 
at them. 

The supreme object, of course, is to win the 
game; this can be done as well by one run as by 
ten; therefore the players should take advantage 
of everything that will decrease their opponents' 
chances of obtaining an insurmountable lead. 

The directions in the following plays have all 
been given in careful consideration of these prin- 
ciples. 

The infielders, in assuming their positions, should 
always take into consideration the speed of the 
base-runners and the hitting tendencies and speed 
of the batsman. The left side of the diamond 
should give ground before a hard left-field hitter; 
and the right side should give ground before a 
hard right-field hitter. In contemplating making 
a double play, the infielders should move in a few 
paces if the base-runners are fast men. 



TEAM PLAYS 149 

In the following plays the directions to the 
infield to "play back" or "play in" are to be 
construed as follows: To play back means that 
the first-baseman, second-baseman, short-stop, 
and third-baseman assume their positions well 
back of the base-lines — the same as they do when 
there are no runners on bases. (See Diagram IX, 
page 203.) To play in means that these infielders 
assume their positions inside of the diamond, a 
few paces from the base-lines. (See Diagram X, 
page 203.) 

Team Plays 

(i) When the team in the field is three or 
MORE RUNS AHEAD and the opposing side has 
THREE MEN ON BASES (none, one, or two out), the 
infield should play back at all stages of the game, 
taking the chance of making a double play. (See 
Diagram IX, page 203.) 

(2) When the team in the field is two runs 
AHEAD and the opposing side has three men on 
BASES (none or one out), the infield, at all stages 
of the game, should play as follows: The first- 
baseman (three or four paces) off the base, and a 
few paces back of the base-line. (If the batsman 
is a dead right-field hitter, play a deeper position.) 
The first-baseman should make his double play 
at home and first, if possible. The third-base- 



I50 BASEBALL 

man should play on the base-Hne, making his 
double play at home and first, if possible. (If 
the batsman is a hard left-field hitter, move back 
a few paces.) The short-stop and second-base- 
man should play back; if possible, making their 
double play at second and first. The pitcher 
should try to make his double play at home and 
first. 

When two are out, the entire infield should play 
back, retiring the runner at the easiest base. (See 
Diagram IX, page 203.) 

In the above conditions, some teams play their 
first-baseman on the base, holding the runner up. 
But, on the pitcher's wind-up motion, both the 
runner and the baseman move away from the 
base; and since the baseman is in motion when 
the ball is hit, he is handicapped in covering 
ground to his left. On the other hand, by play- 
ing off his base, the first-baseman is enabled to 
cover ground on both sides, at the same time 
allowing the runner only an ordinary lead. (If 
the runner persists in taking a big lead, he can 
be driven back by throws from the catcher.) 

(3) When the team in the field is one run 
AHEAD and the opposing side has three men on 
BASE, with none out, the infield for the first five 
innings can take positions and play the same as 
directed in play No. 2. After the fifth inning tihe 



TEAM PLAYS 151 

entire infield should play in to retire the runner 
at home. (See Diagram X, page 203.) 

In the above conditions, with one out, play 
the same as in No. 2 for the first seven innings, 
after which, play in. (Some teams extend this 
method of play, with one out, through the entire 
game; short-stop and second-baseman playing 
only three or four paces back of the base-line to 
faciHtate the making of the double play.) 

When two are out, play back. 

(4) With THREE ON BASE, none ow^, and the SCORE 
EVEN, the infield can play for the first five innings 
the same as directed in No. 2, except that the 
first-baseman plays on the line a few paces off 
the base. (After the fifth inning, the entire in- 
field should play in to retire the runner at home.) 

With one out, and a slow-running batsman at 
the plate, the above method of playing back may 
be extended for a few more innings. 

(5) When the team in the field is one run 
BEHIND and the opposing side has three men 
on base, with one or none out, the infield for the 
first five innings should play as follows: The 
first-baseman on the line, a few paces from the 
base; third-baseman on the base-line; the short- 
stop and second-baseman a few paces back of the 
base-line. (After the fifth inning the infield 
plays in to retire the runner at the plate.) 



152 BASEBALL 

When two are out, play back. 

(6) When the team in the field is three runs 
AHEAD and the opponents have a runner on 
FIRST and ONE on third, the first-baseman should 
hold the runner close to the base, while the rest 
of the infield plays back, trying for the double 
play at second and first. Under the same con- 
ditions, when the team in the field is two runs 
AHEAD, the infield can play the same as above 
except that the third-baseman should play on the 
line. If there is none out, the runner should be 
retired at home if possible. With one man out, 
make the double play at second and first if pos- 
sible. With two out, third-baseman moves back 
— make the easiest play — either at second or 
first. 

(7) When the team in the field is one run 
AHEAD and the opposing side has A runner on 
FIRST AND THIRD, with NONE OUT, the infield for 
the first five or six innings can take their positions 
as directed in No. 2, except that here the first- 
baseman always holds the runner close to the base, 
moving out into the diamond as the pitcher throws 
to the batter. Now, however, more attention 
should be paid to the runner on third, and he 
should be retired at home if possible. (But only 
by the first-baseman, third-baseman, or pitcher.) 
If the runner cannot be retired at home, the 



TEAM PLAYS 153 

double play at second and first should be tried 
for. But if there is no chance of getting the ball 
to second ahead of the runner, the batter should 
be retired at first. 

After the fifth or sixth inning the short-stop 
and second-baseman should play a few paces 
ahead of the base-line to retire the runner at 
home-plate or make the double play, at the 
same time protecting themselves against a stolen 
base. 

When the bases are occupied as above and the 
score is the same, with one out, the short-stop 
and second-baseman play back for the first seven 
innings. After that they should play in to retire 
the runner at home-plate. Some teams extend 
this method of play — ^with first and third baseman 
in, and short-stop and second-baseman three or 
four paces back of the base-line — when one is 
OUT — through the entire game, according to the 
speed of the batter and the possibility of involv- 
ing him in a double play. This, however, must 
be left to the discretion of the individual manager 
or captain. When two are out, all except the 
first-baseman play back. 

(8) When the score is tied (even) and there 
is a RUNNER ON FIRST AND THIRD — none out — for 
the first five innings the infield should play as 
follows: First-baseman always holds the runner 



154 BASEBALL 

close to the base; the third-baseman on the base- 
line; short-stop and second-baseman three or four 
paces back of the line. (After the fifth inning, 
short-stop and second-baseman move in.) 

IFith one out, short-stop and second-baseman 
play back for seven innings, after which move in. 
Two out, all except first-baseman play back. 

(9) When the team in the field is one run be- 
hind and opposing side has a runner on first 
AND THIRD, the first-baseman should remain on 
his base, the third-baseman play in, and in the 
early stages of the game short-stop and second- 
baseman play on or a few paces back of the base- 
line. Put the runner out at home if possible; 
otherwise try to make the double play. During 
the last part of the game, the entire infield should 
play in to retire the runner at home. 

(10) When the team in the field is three runs 
AHEAD and the opposing side has a runner on 
SECOND AND THIRD, the entire infield should play 
back; the pitcher or third-baseman can sometimes 
retire the runner at home. 

With the bases occupied as above, when the 
team in the field is two runs ahead, the first-base- 
man should play off the base about half the dis- 
tance which he plays when no one is on base, the 
third-baseman should play on the base-line; short- 
stop and second-baseman should play back. In 



TEAM PLAYS 155 

the last inning, however, when one or two are out, 
the infield should all play back. (See Diagram IX, 
page 203.) 

(11) When the team in the field is one run 
AHEAD and the opposing side has a runner on 
SECOND AND THIRD (one or more out), for the first 
three or four innings the first-baseman should play 
three or four paces off the base on the base-line; 
short-stop and second-baseman, half their regular 
distance back of the base-line; the third-base- 
man on the base-line. (When two are out, play 
back.) 

After the fourth inning the entire infield should 
play in. (When two are out, play back.) Even 
when ONE run behind, in the above conditions, 
it has often been found a good policy to play the 
infield half-way back, as above, during the early 
stages of the game — especially with a hard-hitting 
batsman up or a slow runner on third. 

(12) When the team in the field is two or 
more runs ahead and the opposing side has a 
RUNNER ON THIRD BASE only, the entire infield 
should play back, sacrificing the run to retire the 
batter at first, if the man cannot be put out easily 
at home. But when one run ahead, or when 
BEHIND, or when the score is even (one or none 
out), the infield should always play in to retire the 
runner at the home-plate. When two are out, all 



IS6 BASEBALL 

play back to retire the batter at first. Under all 
other conditions, with the tying or winning run on 
third, the infield should play in. 

Summary of the Above Directions to the 
Team in the Field 

(For handy reference, letters correspond to the 
numbers.) 

Before using the following, read detailed plays 
above. 

(a) When three or more runs ahead, infield play 
back. 

{J?) Three on Base. When two runs ahead, 
one or none out, infield play as follows: first-base- 
man off base few paces back of line; third-base- 
man on line; short-stop and second-baseman 
back. Two out, all play back. 

{c) When one run ahead, none out, for the first 
five innings play as in h, then play in. One out, 
play as in h for seven innings, then play in. Two 
out, all play back. 

{d) When the score is even, none out, for the 
first five innings play as in h, then play in. One 
out, slow batter, play as in h for six or seven 
innings. Two out, all play back. 

{e) When one run behind, one or none out, for 
five innings first-baseman off base on line, third- 
baseman on line, short-stop and second-baseman 



TEAM PLAYS 157 

few paces back of line. After fifth inning short- 
stop and second-baseman come in. Two out, all 
back. 

(/) Runners on First and Third. When three 
or more runs ahead, first-baseman hold up runner; 
rest of infield play back. 

When two runs ahead, play as above with third- 
baseman in. None out, retire runner at plate, if 
possible, otherwise double play. One out, same 
play. Two out, all except first-baseman back. 

{g) When one ahead, none out, first-baseman on 
base, other players same as h for five or six 
innings. After sixth inning short-stop and sec- 
ond-baseman a few paces ahead of the line. With 
one out, short-stop and second-baseman play 
back for seven innings, then come in. 

(h) When the score is even, none out (for first five 
innings), third-baseman on the line, short-stop 
and second-baseman back. After the fifth inning 
short-stop and second-baseman move in. With 
one out, short-stop and second-baseman play back 
for seven innings, then move in. Two out, all 
except the first-baseman play back. The first- 
baseman must always under these conditions hold 
the runner on first. 

(i) When one run behind, in the early stages of 
the game, third-baseman in, short-stop and 
second-baseman on or just back of the line, the 



158 BASEBALL 

rest of the game play in. First-baseman always 
holding runner on first. 

(y) Runners on Second and Third. — When 
three runs ahead, play back. When two runs ahead, 
first-baseman half back, third-baseman on the 
line, short-stop and second-baseman back. Last 
inning, one or two out, all back. 

{k) When one run ahead, none or one out, for 
three or four innings first-baseman on the line, 
short-stop and second-baseman half-way back of 
line, third -baseman on the fine. After the fourth 
inning, play in. When 07ie run behind, for first 
few innings play as above if batter warrants it. 

(/) Runner on Third. When two or more runs 
ahead, play back. Under all other conditions, one 
or none out, play in; two out, all back. 

(13) When the side in the field is three or 
MORE RUNS AHEAD, and the opposing side has a 
runner on first and second, the infield should 
play back. Yet in the early stages of the game 
the first and third baseman should be prepared 
for a bunt. 

With the bases occupied as above, the infield, 
under all conditions except when three or more 
ahead, with none out, should play as follows: 
first-baseman on his base (ready to go in for the 
bunt); third-baseman on the line (also ready for 
the bunt); short-stop and second-baseman back 



TEAM PLAYS 159 

(but holding the runner close to second). When 
ONE IS OUT, the first-baseman can move half-way 
back — the rest of the infield all the way back 
(if speedy man is at bat, watch for a bunt). Two 
out, first-baseman goes all the way back also. 

Team Plays — Offense and Defense 

The following plays, if perfected, will help to 
develop the team-work of a club. These plays 
(and others that can be worked out with careful 
study) should be learned both offensively and 
defensively; that is, a team should know how to 
play them or prevent their being played. 

The signs that are used in the following plays 
are only given as examples — each team should 
decide upon its own signs. 

(14) The play from pitcher to second base to catch 
the runner off that base. This play may be made 
in two ways : 

{a) Pitcher stands on the rubber, looking at the 
catcher; short-stop or second-baseman gives the 
catcher a sign (such as picking up dirt or rubbing 
the leg) and then starts for the base; instantly, 
as the short-stop starts for the base, the catcher 
gives the pitcher a sign (such as rubbing his leg 
with his hand), whereupon the pitcher whirls 
and throws to second base. 

{b) The pitcher looks over his shoulder at his 



lOo BASEBALL 

short-stop or second-baseman, the latter gives 
the pitcher a sign (such as a nod of the head), and 
starts for second — instantly the pitcher throws 
to second. 

Both methods require much practice before the 
play can be made successfully. 

Defense for the above play. The runner at second 
should always take a lead off the base that will 
allow him time to get back to the base safely as 
the pitcher turns to throw to the base. Watch 
the pitcher. 

(15) Runner on second, none out ; a play to put 
the runner out at third. When the batter is ex- 
pected to make a sacrifice bunt (see Play 19), the 
short-stop drives the runner back to the base (by 
running as though to cover the base); then, as the 
runner goes back to the base, the pitcher puts a 
good ball over the plate as batter bunts. The 
pitcher and first-baseman run in, and, upon getting 
the ball, throw to third. The runner will have 
been delayed long enough at second to be thrown 
out at third. This is a dangerous play, there- 
fore it should only be used occasionally, since the 
batter may hit through short-stop if the position 
is open. 

Defense for above play. The runner at second 
should never run back to the base unless the 
pitcher turns to throw to the base; the runner 



TEAM PLAYS i6i 

should always be leading toward third base as the 
pitcher deHvers the ball to the batter. 

(i6) Play from catcher to pitcher to second base 
to catch runner off that base. This play can be 
worked when the catcher has received the ball 
from the pitcher; the pitcher walks carelessly 
toward the catcher, who throws him the ball — 
instantly as the pitcher gets the ball the short- 
stop starts for the base and the pitcher snaps the 
ball to second. 

Defense. Runner on second always play it 
safe. Return to the base as the pitcher receives 
the ball from the catcher, again getting your lead 
as the pitcher takes his position on the rubber 
(his back toward you). 

(17) Runners on first and second, or first, second, 
and third. A play to get the runner off first if he is 
taking a big lead. First-baseman, if playing off 
his base behind runner, gives catcher the signal 
(such as a slight twist of the gloved hand — to 
make it safe, the catcher should return the same 
signal to the baseman), the catcher then calls for 
a waste ball; as the catcher receives the ball the 
first-baseman starts for the base, the catcher 
throwing to first instantly upon receiving the ball. 

Defense. Runner on first should take a lead 
off the base of such a distance that he can get 
back to the base safely if the catcher throws — 



i62 BASEBALL 

and he should always go back to the base swiftly 
as the catcher receives the ball. 

(i8) Runner on first {or first and second)^ none 
out, and the hatter is expected to hunt. (See Play 19.) 
A play to get the runner off first. Second-baseman 
gives catcher signal (catcher returns same), 
catcher calls for a waste ball; as pitcher delivers 
the ball, the first-baseman leaves his base and 
runs toward the batter (evidently to field the 
bunt), at the same time the second-baseman runs 
to first to take the ball from the catcher who 
throws upon catching the ball. The same play 
may be made in which the first-baseman either 
merely feints to go in for the bunt — or remains 
on his base, receiving the ball himself from the 
catcher. 

Defense. Same as on the above play. 

When to Bunt to Advance Base-Runners 

(19) Unless otherwise stated, the following di- 
rections hold good in all baseball. 

{a) Runner on first hase, none out, one run needed 
to win. During the last two or three innings, 
bunt. (Weak hitters should bunt even in the 
early part of the game.) 

Reason: to avoid the double play and to put 
the runner on second base, where he can be 
scored by a single (one-base hit). 



TEAM PLAYS 163 

In amateur baseball, it is advisable to bunt 
at all stages of the game in the above circum- 
stances. 

{h) Runner on first base, none out, two runs be- 
hind. In amateur baseball, during the first four 
or five innings, bunt. 

Reason: to avoid double plays, trying for one 
run inning after inning. 

(c) Runner on first base, none out, when ahead, 
hit. In amateur baseball, unless away ahead — 
continue to bunt, constantly trying for one more 
run. 

{d) Runner on second base, none out, one run 
needed to tie the score or win. Unless the batsman 
is a good hitter, always bunt. 

Reason: to advance the base-runner to third 
base, where, with the infield in, he will have six 
chances to score. The chances to score would 
occur in any of the following cases: a fly ball, a 
base-hit, an error, a passed ball, a wild pitch, or 
the squeeze play. 

Defense. The pitcher, unless the batter is a 
good hitter, could attempt Play No. 15. 

{e) Runner on second, none out. Amateur teams 
should bunt even when one or two runs ahead. 

(/) Runners on first and second, none out, one 
run needed to tie the score or win. Bunt at all 
stages of the game. 



1 64 BASEBALL 

(g) Runners on first and second^ none out, two 
runs behind. Bunt. 

Reason: to get runners on second and third 
bases, with two chances to score both on a base- 
hit. 

{h) Runners on first and second, none out. If 
one or two runs ahead, and the batter is a poor 
hitter or slow runner, he should hunt (otherwise 
hit). 

{i) Runners on first and second, one out, one or 
two runs needed. It may seem peculiar to advise 
bunting under these circumstances, but if the 
pitcher is at bat and is a poor hitter, he might as 
well deliberately sacrifice himself to put men on 
second and third, instead of running the risk of 
hitting into a double play. 

(20) When a player is fielding his position 
according to the battery signals (given to the 
pitcher by the catcher), he must not move pre- 
maturely. The batter, seeing him shift, would 
probably know what ball to expect. (Batters 
should note any change of position on the part 
of the fielders before the pitcher delivers the 
ball.) 

(21) The 'push or drag hit. This play is accom- 
plished when the short-stop and second-baseman 
are playing back. The batsman taps the ball 
just hard enough to get it past the pitcher on 



TEAM PLAYS 165 

either side. A fast man, especially a left-handed 
batter, can frequently beat the ball to first base 
on this play. This play may be used in connec- 
tion with Play No. 22. 

Defense, The short-stop, and especially the 
second-baseman, can in a measure prevent this 
play from succeeding by playing a little closer 
to the base-line when batters who have made this 
play successfully are hitting. A close watch over 
the batter's motions will also enable the fielder 
to anticipate this play, since the batter in attempt- 
ing it will not take his usual swing at the ball. 

(22) The hit-and-run play, (a) In this play 
the batter hits the ball while the base-runner is 
stealing a base, either from first to second or 
from second to third. By prearranged signal, the 
runner starts for the next base as the pitcher de- 
livers the ball to the batter; and the batter makes 
an effort to hit the ball. Here the batter should 
not swing hard at the ball; he should concentrate 
his attention upon meeting the ball and driving 
it, if possible, behind the runner, thus reducir/g 
the opportunity of the opponents making a 
double play. In order to make this play suc- 
cessfully, it is necessary for the batter to have 
the ball thrown within hittable distance of the 
plate; therefore the batter should attempt the 
play only when he expects a good ball. 



i66 BASEBALL 

The signals in this play may be given either by 
the batsman or the base-runner; or the play may 
be made without any signals — the batsman hit- 
ting the ball as he sees the runner stealing. The 
hit-and-run play is a good one when used by 
reasonably sure hitters. It frequentl)^ enables 
the base-runner, because of his running start, to 
go an extra base on a hit and, for the same rea- 
son, makes difficult the execution of a double 
play. 

Defense. The only possible defense against the 
hit-and-run play is to have the pitcher hold the 
runner close to the base, and the catcher try to 
diagnose the play, calling for the waste ball when 
he thinks the play is coming. The waste ball 
will prevent the batter from hitting the ball, 
thereby enabling the catcher to throw to the base 
to catch the runner. Here it is a battle of wits 
between the pitcher and the opposing batsman 
and base-runner. 

{h) Another method of putting the hit-and-run 
play into effect is the following: As the runner on 
first starts for second, the batsman bunts the 
ball toward the third-baseman. This compels 
the third-baseman to leave his base and come in 
after the ball, and, if the runner on first is fast, 
he can frequently go to third base while the 
third-baseman is playing the ball to first. 



TEAM PLAYS 167 

(c) The hit-and-run play may be made by 
using the push or drag hit in the following way: 
As the runner on first steals, the batter bunts or 
pushes the ball past the pitcher on the short-stop 
side. Then, if the short-stop is covering second 
base (seeing the man steal), it will be difficult to 
retire either the base-runner or the batsman. 

HiT-AND-RuN Signals 

Following are a few suggestive systems of sig- 
nals that may be used in the hit-and-run play, 
preferably given by the batter. (Each team, 
however, should adopt a system of its own.) The 
batter should give the signal to his base-runner 
at a time when he knows the runner can watch 
him; for instance, when the runner is returning 
to his base, after making a safe hit, or when 
the ball goes into the catcher's hands. When 
the runner sees the signal, he steals on the next 
ball pitched, knowing that batter will endeavor 
to hit it. 

(a) The batter wipes his hand in some partic- 
ular way on some particular place on his uni- 
form. 

(b) The batter opens and closes either hand as 
he holds the bat. 

(c) Some natural movement of either foot. 

(d) Wiping the trousers with the hand may be 



i68 BASEBALL 

used as the hit-and-run signal, when the bat is 
held in some particular position. 

(e) The base-runner can select the signal to be 
used by the batter. For instance, as the base- 
runner returns to his base, he can make a series 
of natural motions, any one of which (by pre- 
arrangement) can be selected as the signal. 
For illustration, suppose that it is agreed that the 
second motion made by the base-runner be used 
as the signal. Then as the runner returns to the 
base he adjusts his hat, then pulls up his trou- 
sers, and then rubs his chin. At once the batter 
will know that when he wants to signal for the 
hit-and-run, he must pull up his trousers. The 
base-runners, of course, should vary these motions 
each time they are on base; and the batter should 
watch closely. 

The above sets of signals (or signals similar to 
them) may be adopted by the club as a whole; 
or individual batters may have separate sets of 
signals to be used with the preceding batter and 
the one following. 

(23) The squeeze play. This play consists in 
the batter bunting the ball while the runner on 
third base is on his way home. By a prear- 
ranged signal (generally given by the batter) the 
runner starts for home just as the pitcher be- 
gins the forward part of his motion to deliver 



TEAM PLAYS 169 

the ball to the batter, then the batter bunts the 
ball. 

The success of the play depends both upon the 
runner and the batter. If the runner starts too 
soon, giving the pitcher time to diagnose the play 
and throw the ball accordingly, there is little 
chance of the batter being able to bunt. But if 
the runner starts at the right time, the pitcher 
will have gone too far in his motion of delivering 
the ball to throw it out of the batter's reach. 
The batter should be intent only upon bunting 
the ball. If he has in mind the idea of reaching 
first base safely, he will generally fail to bunt the 
ball. Therefore he should never mind himself, 
but look only to making the bunt. 

The reason this play is not used more is that the 
players cannot bunt and will not learn to bunt. 

If there are runners on second and third as the 
squeeze play is made, the runner on second, since 
he too sees the squeeze-play signal, can get a 
running start on the pitcher's motion and, if the 
ball is bunted toward the third-baseman, can 
score as the ball is being thrown to first. But 
if the ball is played home, and the man going 
home sees that he is clearly out, he should stop 
and run up and down the line, allowing the batter 
time to go to second. 

Defense. The only method of breaking up the 
squeeze play is for the pitcher to use a slow wind- 



I70 BASEBALL 

up motion, all the while watching the runner on 
third base. He will often start home before the 
pitcher has delivered the ball, in which case 
the pitcher should throw the ball signalled by the 
catcher; if the curve ball is called it should be 
thrown wide and low, out of the batter's reach; 
and if the fast ball is called it should be thrown 
high and wide or in line with the batter's head. 
The pitcher, if the man is going home, should 
always throw the ball called for by his catcher, 
otherwise the catcher is liable to miss the ball 
entirely. For instance, if the catcher has called 
for a curve, he will be ready to handle its sharp 
break; and if the pitcher were to throw a fast 
ball, the catcher would be deceived, and prob- 
ably unable to handle it, especially if it came 
high. 

Squeeze-play signals. Some teams use the same 
signal for the squeeze play and the hit-and-run 
play. For instance, if there is a runner on third 
base and one on first, the hit-and-run signal always 
calls for a squeeze play. 

Other teams, especially those that seldom use 
the squeeze play, have a separate signal for the 
squeeze play and one for the hit-and-run. Then, 
with runners on first and third, the hit-and-run 
signal applies only to the runner on first base, 
while the squeeze-play signal works with the 
runner on third. 



TEAM PLAYS 171 

The squeeze-play signals may be of the same 
general nature as those used in the hit-and-run 
play. 

(24) The delayed steal. This play can be made 
successfully only against a catcher who works 
automatically, that is, who catches and returns 
the ball to the pitcher without watching the 
runner. 

The runner on first base takes a good lead off 
the base, but does not start for second until the 
catcher has the ball; then, just as the catcher is 
making his motion of returning the ball to the 
pitcher, but before the ball has left the catcher's 
hand, the runner starts for second. The catcher 
must then draw his arm back again, making a 
full swing before throwing, and this delay is what 
helps the runner to beat the ball to second base. 

Defense. When there is a runner on first base, 
the catcher should glance at him before beginning 
the forward motion of his arm in returning the 
ball to the pitcher. This action will assist the 
catcher in preventing the runner from making 
the delayed steal. 

(25) When you are two or more runs ahead, 
do not take difficult chances of retiring runners 
occupying bases. For instance, with first base 
occupied, if the ball is hit to the first-baseman, 
he should not try for the double play unless the 
chances of making it are all in his favor. Other- 



172 BASEBALL 

wise he may lose the decision at second if the 
play be close; or in throwing to second he might 
hit the runner with the ball, making both men 
safe. Rather than take these chances, retire the 
batter at first base; there will then be one out, and 
a man on second, requiring a base-hit to score him. 

(26) When the pitcher is using the "moist 
ball," the infielders, upon handling cleanly a hard 
hit ball, should rub the ball quickly in their hands 
before throwing. This action will dry the ball, 
thus eliminating the possibility of a bad throw. 

(27) In the last inning (one out), with the 
winning run on third base, instead of trying to 
shut the run off at home, the infield can play in, 
while the pitcher deliberately gives the next two 
batters bases on balls. Then with three men on 
base the infield can go back and try for a double 
play, retiring the side. The reason for the infield 
playing in until the bases are all occupied by run- 
ners is to protect themselves in case the batter 
should be able to hit the ball. The pitcher should 
deliberately fill the bases, because his infield, by 
playing in, has increased infinitely the batter's 
chances of hitting safely. One run will win the 
game anyway, and the runner that will make it is 
on third base to start with; now, by putting three 
men on bases and then playing back, the team 
has increased to the maximum the possibilities of 
preventing a hit being made — and of retiring the 



TEAM PLAYS 173 

side by a double play. This play is especially 
advisable when it will walk two good hitters and 
bring up a weak one. 

(28) When, with the infield playing in to shut 
off the run at home, the ball is hit sharply and 
thrown home, catching the runner between home 
and third, the third-baseman should move toward 
home-base, thus making it possible to retire the 
runner without loss of time. The short-stop 
should cover third base. The play is made in 
this way to prevent the man from running up and 
down the whole base-line, thus gaining time for 
the batter in which to advance. 

(29) Battery signs. Many college teams and 
semiprofessional clubs think that the more signs 
they have and the more complicated these signs 
are, the more proficient they are as teams, i. e.y 
they think they should have a sign for the fast 
ball, a sign for what they call the **in-shoot," one 
for the out-curve, one for the drop-curve, as well 
as signs for the moist ball and slow ball. Now, 
some of these signs are unnecessary and only 
tend to complicate matters; the f^wer the signs, 
the less the possibility of confusion. 

One sign is all that is necessary for the fast 
ball, whether it goes perfectly straight or tends 
to shoot. In fact, most fast balls tend to shoot a 
little in one direction or another, and the catcher 
is always ready for them. And one sign will do 



174 BASEBALL 

for curve balls, that is, the out-curve, the drop- 
curve, and the out-drop. These curves are 
readily followed by the catcher; he need only 
know that one of them is coming to be able to 
catch any of them. It is absolutely necessary 
to have a separate and distinct sign for the moist 
ball, since that is the most puzzling ball for the 
catcher to handle. The pitcher can throw a slow 
ball without any sign. (But with an inexperi- 
enced pitcher it is sometimes necessary for the 
catcher to have a slow-ball sign; then the catcher, 
at his own discretion, can call the slow ball when 
the pitcher forgets to use it.) Another sign 
which the battery must use is that telling the 
pitcher to keep the ball out of the batter's reach; 
that is called the "waste-ball" or "pitch-out" 
sign. This ball should be fast and thrown two 
or three feet outside of the plate, and at the 
height of the catcher's head as he stands up. 
This ball is called for when the catcher calculates 
that a base-runner is going to steal, or when the 
catcher thinks that he has an opportunity to 
catch a runner off the base (napping). It is 
absolutely necessary to keep this ball out of the 
batter's reach, for if he should hit the ball while 
a man is stealing or a baseman is about to play 
a runner at his base, the infielders will be leav- 
ing their positions open, and the ball is likely to 
be hit through them. 



TEAM PLAYS 175 

The following are sets of signals that may be 
used by batteries (pitcher and catcher). These 
signals are given merely to suggest systems that 
may be used. Each team should work out and 
adopt its own signals. They are given prefer- 
ably by the catcher who, facing the pitcher, as- 
sumes behind the plate a squatting position with 
knees slightly spread apart. 

{a) Place the ungloved (bare) hand on the in- 
side of the leg close to the body so that when the 
fingers are extended downward they will be 
visible only to players who are directly in front, 
i. e., the pitcher, short-stop, and second-baseman. 
Then lay the glove flat in your lap, covering your 
bare hand. 

One finger extended Fast ball 

Two fingers extended Curve ball 

One finger wriggled Moist ball 

Two fingers wriggled Slow ball 

Closed fist Waste ball (pitch-out) 

{h) Place the open hand flat against your leg, 
close to body, covering with the glove as above. 

Open hand flat against leg Fast ball. 

Projecting thumb Curve ball. 

Closed fist Moist ball. 

Projecting thumb wriggled Slow ball. 

Either hand on your knee as you rise 

from your squatting position Waste ball. 



176 BASEBALL 

(c) The following is a set of signals given by 
the eyes.* Place the hands on the mask so that 
the eyes are visible only to the players in front: 

Looking straight at the pitcher Fast ball. 

Looking to either side Curve ball. 

Blinking eyes Slow ball. 

Right eye closed Waste ball. 

Left eye closed Moist ball. 

When there is a runner on second base, the 
catcher should give his signal so that the runner 
cannot see them (otherwise the runner can flash 
them to the batter). The signals may be given to 
the pitcher when the short-stop or second-base- 
man is engaging the attention of the runner. It 
is sometimes advisable for the catcher to have a 
separate set of signals to be used with his pitcher 
when there is a runner on second base. 

(30) When there is a runner on second base 
and a base-hit is made to the outfield, the first- 
baseman or the third-baseman, as the case may 
be, can intercept the throw from the outfielder if 
told to do so by the catcher, and can make the 
play at second, retiring the batter at that base. 
(Here the pitcher should back up home-base.) 
Otherwise the ball is allowed to go to the plate. , 

* Eye signals, though used by some teams, are likely to Involve 
misunderstandings; therefore, when possible, it is advisable to use 
the other system. 



N 



TEAM PLAYS 177 

This ball, if intercepted, should be caught at a 
point about fifty feet in front of the catcher. 

Some teams have the pitcher intercept the ball 
on this play while the first-baseman backs up 
home-base. This, however, should be left to the 
individual manager or captain. 

(31) The player who is to become the next 
batsman, by taking his position near home-base, 
can at times give valuable assistance as a coacher. 
For instance, when, with a runner on second base, 
the batsman makes a base-hit, the next batsman 
from his position behind home-plate is in an ex- 
cellent position to judge, by the direction of the 
ball as it is being thrown home, whether or not 
to have the runner score. 

(32) Word signals. Too much emphasis can- 
not be laid upon the fact that the manager (or, 
in amateur baseball, the captain) should observe 
very carefully and turn to his own account, when 
possible, everything that the opposing players do. 
From his position on the coaching lines or on the 
bench he should be keen to note and communicate 
to his players any line of offense or defense that 
may be laid open. And in order to do this, he 
must have a system of word signals. For ex- 
ample, any remark to the batsman containing 
the word out would instruct him to hit instead of 
bunt, and vice versa. ("Hit it out." '*No one 



178 BASEBALL 

out," etc.) Suppose that the manager, after he 
had instructed the batsman to bunt, observed 
that the third and first basemen were playing 
very close and were coming in to handle the bunt; 
then the manager by use of the word signal could 
switch the batter from bunting to hitting. By 
so doing he would catch the infielders unawares, 
and most likely get the ball safely past them. 
And again, suppose that the batter had been in- 
structed to hit, and that he had hit a hard foul 
down the third-base line, the third-baseman cal- 
culating that he will hit again, drops back of the 
base-line several paces, thereby increasing his 
ability to handle hard-hit balls. Here, the 
watchful manager, knowing his batter's speed and 
his ability to bunt, and the third-baseman's field- 
ing weaknesses, etc., can become effective. By the 
use of the word signal he can instruct the batter 
to bunt. Then if the bunt be laid down the third- 
base line, the chances are all in favor of the bats- 
man. 

This system of word signals may be used with 
base-runners also, and, in fact, it may be extended 
to various other departments of the game. 



XI 

HINTS TO COLLEGE PLAYERS 

The following suggestions may be of interest 
and of some value to college players : 

Have regular hours for study. If these are to 
be at night have them in the early part of the 
evening. "Think baseball" after you have pre- 
pared your other lessons. Do not start your 
study hour with baseball or you might find it 
difficult to get your mind down to your other 
studies. As far as is possible do your studying 
in the daytime, all kinds of artificial fights hurt 
the eyes. 

If you are worrying over low standing in any 
subject or subjects, it may interfere in your 
thinking and playing baseball; tell the coach 
about it; he can generally help you in some way. 

Do not become discouraged if you do not 
"make" the team as soon as you thought you 
would; keep working, drill yourself on your weak 
points, make them strong points. 

Get plenty of rest during the baseball season, 
it will help you to get a better drive to your 

179 



l8o BASEBALL 

bat and more "back" into your throws. If 
other students insist upon keeping you awake, 
"kick over the traces" and make them realize the 
injury they are doing you. 

Do not sulk if you are not put on the regular 
team. If you think you are a better player than 
some other man, work hard, and show your coach 
that you are better. 

Do not rebel against learning new ways of 
playing the game — generally a riper experience 
than you have had tells the coach that what he 
wants you to do is the best. The man who won't 
learn has to step aside finally for the man who 
will. 

Never think that the baseball team is going 
to pass your examinations for you. If you are 
good enough to be on the team, you owe it to your 
college to stay there, so study regularly and hard. 

Respect the older members of the team; but 
if you are out for a position, play your best, no 
matter whom you may have to oust. 

Because your opponents come from a larger 
college than yours, do not think that they are 
necessarily better than you. Go in to win ! 
Play baseball every minute ! 

Do not hesitate to oflFer suggestions to your 
coach and captain, but think these suggestions 
over carefully before making them. If it is some- 



HINTS TO COLLEGE PLAYERS i8i 

thing that they have overlooked, they will be glad 
to hear it. But be careful about pitting your 
judgment against theirs. 

Drop any slipshod method of playing which 
you may have learned in school. In college you 
will be taught the best methods; learn them and, 
on every occasion, think! 

Listen to what the coach has to say, no matter 
whether it applies to your position or not, for 
baseball knowledge will come in handy. If you 
know all that the other fellow knows, maybe you 
can outwit him when the occasion arises. 

When you are to play on a strange field, go out 
on it before the game and look it over. Note the 
position of the sun, the condition of the grounds, 
whether the ground is Hvely or not; observe any 
obstructions, such as fences, stands, etc. Note 
what kind of a background you will have to look 
into; also observe any unusual condition of the 
wind; examine the base-lines, to see whether bunts 
will tend to roll foul or safe, etc. 

Keep a note-book and put down in it the 
mistakes you have made, also the mistakes others 
make; this will help to fix in your mind the cor- 
rect way these plays should be made. 

Learn the rules. Study them carefully, over 
and over. 

If there is any particular point about which 



1 82 BASEBALL 

you are uncertain, ask the coach ! Do not go 
along until the play comes up without knowing 
how to handle it. 

Constant practice will strengthen you where 
you are weak. Get out on the field early and 
practise (such as outfielders handling ground balls, 
hitting a curved ball, or handling bunts). 

If you have fallen off in your batting, study 
yourself; have the coach watch your motion at 
bat. There is generally a good reason for your 
"losing your stride." It may be that you are 
stepping too far, or hitting up at the ball, or pull- 
ing away, etc. 

When you have made a mistake, admit it. (The 
best players make them.) But try not to repeat 
the same mistake. 

Do not be ashamed to strike out, but do not 
strike out on called strikes. "Hit them when 
they are over." 

Stop working before you are dead tired. You 
can't do your best when you are fagged out. Do 
not bat too long at a stretch, for your muscles 
lose their freshness and you can't get the neces- 
sary snap to your swing. 

If you have a sore arm, tell the coach. You 
can't do yourself justice while working at this 
disadvantage. 

While you are at bat, a touch of near-sighted- 



HINTS TO COLLEGE PLAYERS 183 

ness or far-sightedness is frequently offset by a step 
nearer to the pitcher or a step away. 

Do not crowd the plate if you can't hit a close 
ball. 

Keep away from the score-book. Play the game 
the best you know how, and let the averages take 
care of themselves. 

Very often weak wrists and arms (indicated by 
a longing for a light bat) are overcome by having 
a bat handy to swing in your room. Bore a hole 
in the end and insert a half pound of iron in it. 

Avoid tobacco. It can't do you any good. 

Remember that the professional is better than 
you because he devotes his entire time to thinking 
and playing baseball, while you have your college 
duties to perform (spending but a little time over 
ball). However, try to bring into your baseball 
some of that thinking ability which your college 
training is supposed to develop in you. 

Your opportunities for studying your opponents 
are infinitely less in college than in professional 
baseball; therefore, observe very carefully what 
happens, and remember it. Note the directions 
in which the various batters hit, who the fast 
men are, etc. 

Do not imitate the professional's vocabulary, 
or his walk — they won't improve your game; 
observe how he actually plays the game. 



1 84 BASEBALL 

If your team wins, don't worry about your per- 
sonal performances. 

Avoid getting into the habit of quarrelling 
with the umpire — this habit never avails you any- 
thing. If he has made a mistake, he knows it; 
your telling him about it constantly may make 
you feel smart, but it won't help your team 
any. 

A player's individual ability is often offset by 
his disorganizing effect on the team. Beware of 
dissension. 

Next to being captain of the team, you should 
be a good follower. 

Never be satisfied with your game, try to im- 
prove. 

Remember that as a college man you are sup- 
posed to be a gentleman. Habits of rowdyism 
are not tolerated in professionalism; college en- 
vironment should stamp them out automatically. 

Give your opponents credit for a good play; you 
like to get it when you make a good one. 

It is a good plan for the players to chum to- 
gether when off the diamond — this produces a 
spirit of unity that can't be obtained in any other 
way. 

Remember that when you are chosen to play 
on a college team you represent not only your 
particular student body but the whole host of 



HINTS TO COLLEGE PLAYERS 185 

alumni and the friends and benefactors of the 
college. Therefore do not perform one act which 
will prevent you from being absolutely at your 
best — worthy of the trust placed in you. 



XII 
HINTS TO SPECTATORS 

The incidents during a baseball game that have 
to do with its final outcome are many and 
various. The almost infinite number of possi- 
bilities, either attempted or neglected, which offer 
themselves in the nine innings, can scarcely be 
grasped even by the most trained observer. But 
many of the important things which affect the 
offense and defense — the success or failure of play 
— may be recognized by the average spectator 
when once his attention has been called to them. 
A knowledge of those points which are of vital 
importance to the players cannot fail of being 
interesting to the spectator. It is felt, therefore, 
that the following "hints" will help the spectator 
in placing proper significance upon the various 
acts of the players : 

It will be observed that a certain few players 
always coach at first and third bases. These men 
are selected to do this work because their judg- 
ment in directing the base-runners is good. Many 
a game has been lost because the manager sent 
the wrong player out to coach. 

i86 



HINTS TO SPECTATORS 187 

The direction and strength of the wind are im- 
portant factors in baseball. Observe the players, 
as they come on the field, tossing bits of grass or 
dust into the air, or looking at the flags to ascer- 
tain the direction of the wind. 

Before the game observe the constant practice 
of receiving short taps from the bat. Four or 
five players in a group in turn throw the ball to 
a single batter. This rapid handling of the ball 
removes awkwardness, and is good training for 
batting and fielding. 

When certain players are at bat, the outfielders 
may be seen to shift their positions. For in- 
stance, if a batter is known to hit the ball reg- 
ularly to left field, the outfielders all move in that 
direction; then the pitcher, by keeping the ball 
well on the first-base side of the plate, will try to 
make the batter hit to right field — calculating 
that the batter will not hit effectively in that field. 
Some pitchers, however, try to make men hit to 
their favorite field, after placing the fielders in 
that field. 

Some men are constantly swinging two or three 
bats. This is done to strengthen the forearms 
and wrists. After handling two or three bats, 
one bat seems quite light in the hands and can be 
swung more readily against a speedy ball. 

Note the kind of balls thrown to the batters 



i88 BASEBALL 

in batting practice. If a left-handed pitcher is 
expected in the game, practice will be against a 
left-handed man, who will try to throw the same 
kind of balls that the opposing pitcher will throw. 

Often the runner on first base will take a big lead 
off the base, without intending to steal, merely 
to worry the pitcher, who will keep throwing to 
catch him. This is frequently done against 
young or inexperienced pitchers, compelling them 
to lose their control. 

When a runner is on first base and there are 
two out, note how many high, wide (waste) balls 
are thrown to the batter. This is done to enable 
the catcher to throw readily to second base, for 
the runner will usually attempt to steal when 
there are two out. 

A team that is several runs behind will seldom 
bunt; it usually tries to hit the ball hard, taking 
the chance of getting as many runs as possible, 
instead of sacrificing to score one or two. 

There is usually one ball with which a pitcher 
is most successful, sometimes it is in combination 
with another. It is interesting to try to discover 
wherein the pitcher's success lies. 

When a runner is on first base, and there are 
none out, observe the kind of balls thrown to the 
batter. If the score is at all close, the pitcher 
generally expects the batter to bunt; therefore, 



HINTS TO SPECTATORS 189 

he usually keeps the ball high, in which place it 
is difficult to bunt successfully. 

A pitcher who **has the batter" two strikes and 
no balls will generally make him go after a "bad" 
one. It is interesting to note with what kind of 
a ball the pitcher tries to catch his man napping. 

When there are two out, and three balls and two 
strikes on the batter, all base-runners advance as 
the pitcher makes his motion to deliver the ball 
to the batter. 

A team that is two or more runs ahead will 
seldom play the infield in; it is the safer poHcy 
to play back, allowing one run to score if neces- 
sary, in order to make a double play or to clear the 
bases. 

When a runner is on third base (one or none out), 
the score being close, observe that the infield 
plays in to retire the runner at home-base. Many 
teams, however, restrict the playing of their in- 
field in to the last part of the game, being con- 
tented in the early part of the game to keep the 
score as low as possible while making every efFort 
to clean the bases or retire the side by a double play. 

When a runner is on first base and a hit is made 
to right field, note the positions taken by the 
short-stop, left-fielder, and the pitcher. Since 
the ball will be fielded, usually, to third base, the 
short-stop should be in direct line with the ball 



190 BASEBALL 

and should, if told to by the third-baseman, inter- 
cept it and throw to second to head off the run- 
ner there. (This is done if the third-baseman sees 
that the man going to third cannot be caught.) 
The pitcher should be backing up third base, as 
also should the left-fielder; an overthrow would 
then be handled and a score prevented. 

It is interesting to watch the situation where 
there is a runner on first base and one on third. 
The team in the field usually makes every effort 
to prevent what is known as the "double steal,'* 
that is, the runner on third scoring as the runner 
goes from first to second. The pitcher is up 
against the proposition of keeping the runners 
close to their bases to prevent their getting big 
leads; he must also cut down his motion as much 
as possible, and yet must keep his control so as 
not to give the batter a good ball to hit — the ball 
must also be one which the catcher can readily 
get off to second base. The short-stop and 
second-baseman must be so placed as to play the 
ball either home or at second — and their actions 
are generally dependent upon whether the batter 
be a right or left handed hitter and what direc- 
tion he usually hits in. The catcher may throw 
the ball to the pitcher, or to second base; or, after 
a feint to second, throw to third; sometimes throw- 
ing to third directly. 



HINTS TO SPECTATORS 191 

When a runner is on second base, and the bats- 
man hits safely to the outfield, note where the 
pitcher plays; also note what the first-baseman 
does. Usually the first baseman backs up the 
catcher, while the pitcher places himself in direct 
line with the ball which is being thrown home. 
If told to do so by the catcher, the pitcher will 
intercept the ball and throw it to second base, 
attempting to catch the runner there. Some 
teams, however, prefer to have the pitcher back up 
home-plate, while the first-baseman places him- 
self in line with the ball thrown home. 

Observe how the team in the field plays when 
a runner on first base attempts to steal. On some 
teams, one man always covers second base, and 
the pitcher must use his control accordingly. 
For instance, if it is the second-baseman who 
covers the base, and the man at bat has a strong 
tendency to hit between first and second, the 
pitcher must place the ball so as to make him hit 
to the opposite side of the diamond; if the bats- 
man hits right-handed, the ball must be kept 
close to him; and if he hits left-handed, it must 
be kept on the outside corner of the plate. On 
other teams, the second-baseman takes the base 
if the batsman is known to hit to the left, while 
the short-stop takes it if the batsman hits to 
the right. On free hitters the short-stop covers 



192 BASEBALL 

second on all fast balls; and the second-baseman 
does so on all curved balls. 

When a runner is on first base, and the batter 
hits into a double play, note what the catcher 
does. Since the ball, on this play, must be han- 
dled with great swiftness, there is a possibility 
of an overthrow at first, therefore the catcher's 
position should be back of first base. The same 
is true when, with none on base, a ball is hit 
slowly toward the second-baseman. 

Often one will see players trying to soil a new 
ball. This is done to take the gloss ofF the cover 
so that the pitcher can control and curve the 
ball. Frequently, as the new ball is batted into 
the air, and while the eyes of the umpires and 
spectators are on the ball, the pitcher rubs his 
hand in the dirt. He can then remove the gloss 
from the ball when it is returned to him (without 
fear of penalty from the umpire). 

Observe that outfielders look away from the 
sun as much as possible, either turning their 
backs or looking down when it is not necessary 
for them to watch the ball. This is quite a nec- 
essary precaution in an especially sunny field, as 
the strain on the eyes is very severe. 

A pitcher never deliberately "walks" the first 
batter in any inning, regardless of the score. 

Every batter has his *' lucky way" of walking 



HINTS TO SPECTATORS 193 

up to the plate. Observe that some always walk 
in front, and some behind the umpire, usually per- 
forming some regular act, such as cleaning the 
dirt out of their spikes, wiping hands on the 
ground, hitting bat on the plate, etc. 

When the batsman makes a long hit, observe 
that the basemen stand on their bases in such a 
way as to make the runner take the outside of the 
bases, thereby delaying him considerably. 

When a runner is on second base, the short- 
stop usually runs him back to the base, and the 
pitcher, seeing the runner going back, delivers the 
ball to the batter. This play is made to throw 
the runner off his stride; he is going back toward 
second base as the ball is pitched, consequently 
lessening his chance of scoring on a safe hit. 

Occasionally, when the above play is made (if 
there is none out and the batter is expected to 
bunt), the pitcher throws a perfect ball to the 
batter, then the first-baseman and pitcher run 
in to handle the bunt, which they throw to third, 
often catching the runner there because he was 
driven back to second as the ball was pitched. 

Passed balls and wild pitches are frequently 
the result of misunderstanding between the 
pitcher and catcher — of getting their signals 
"crossed." If the catcher calls for one kind of 
ball and the pitcher throws another, there is apt 



194 BASEBALL 

to be trouble, especially if a low curve is called, 
and the pitcher throws a high fast ball. Spec- 
tators can usually detect this battery mistake, 
for the catcher squats, expecting a curve, while 
the ball generally shoots high and wide, out of 
his reach. A conference between the pitcher and 
catcher usually follows. 

When the pitcher has lost his control, some 
player usually takes out time, by adjusting his 
uniform, or holding a conference with another 
player, etc. — anything to gain time during which 
the pitcher can get back his control (in the mean- 
time the pitcher throws to the catcher or first- 
baseman). Frequently the captain will walk over 
to the pitcher and talk to him, trying to steady 
him. 

Some managers "warm up" fresh pitchers where 
the man who is working can't see them, since 
many pitchers, especially young ones, lose heart 
when they see another man ready to take their 
place. 

Note the little tricks that are played to give the 
pitcher time to recover his breath after he has 
run several bases. The following are examples: 
The coacher pulls the batter away from the plate 
and whispers to him at length; another man is 
sent in to run for the pitcher, but suddenly the 
manager decides to let the pitcher run himself, 



HINTS TO SPECTATORS 195 

after the lapse of a few minutes; if the pitcher is 
about to start an inning, after running bases, the 
catcher throws the ball into centre field — anything 
to delay the game. 

Outfielders should return the ball to the 
catcher so that he receives it on the first bound. 
Long throws to third base are made in the same 
way. This makes it possible for another fielder 
to intercept the ball if it is necessary; and it also 
gives the catcher or third-baseman a better oppor- 
tunity to handle the ball. 

A clever play is sometimes made by a fast 
runner on third base. As the ball is hit toward 
second base the runner on third gets a late run- 
ning start from the base, evidently trying to 
score. The fielder hurries the ball home, but the 
runner suddenly pulls up and goes back to third 
base, thereby making the runner on first and 
himself safe. 

It is interesting to note the remarkably fast 
start toward second base many runners get by 
taking a turn before reaching first base; that is, 
they go out of the base-line and are headed for 
second base as they cross first. 



DIAGRAMS 




DIAGRAM I 



Showing the catcher backing up first base to recover overthrows, when, with 
a runner on first, the ball is hit to the short-stop or either position in the infield, 
and relayed from second to first — on the double play. It also shows the left 
and centre fielders getting in line with the hit ball to recover it if it gets by the 
short-stop. And it shows the right-fielder getting in line with the throw from 
the short-stop to second base to recover the ball if it is thrown wildly. On this 
play, the catcher should take a position about thirty feet from first base; he can 
then catch overthrows, and put out the batter, who will be going to second. 




DIAGRAM II. 



Showing a play being made after a base-hit to the right-fielder (with a runner 
on second). Heavy lines show one method of play; dotted lines (from pitcher 
and first-baseman) show another. Ordinarily, since the first-baseman is better 
in handling thrown balls, he should take his Dosition inside of the diamond while 
the pitcher backs up the catcher. Many teams, nowever, play as inoicated by 
the dotted lines. In either case, the second-baseman covers first, and the short- 
stop takes second; while the left-fielder backs up third base, and the centre- 
fielder backs up second base. On a hit to the centre-fielder, these same relative 
positions should be taken. 

199 




DIAGRAM III 



This diagram shows a play being made after a base-hit to left field (with a 
runner on second). The third-baseman cuts into the diamond (as indicated by 
the arrow) to be ready to intercept the ball as it is thrown home. The second- 
baseman covers second, short-stop covers third. The third-baseman should in- 
tercept the ball and throw to second if the ball is going wide, especially if he is 
told to do so by the catcher (in case it is too late to catch the man at home). The 
play to second may cut off the batsman, who will be going there on the throw 
home. The centre-fielder backs up second base, the pitcher backs up home-base. 




DIAGRAM IV. 



Showing a play being made after the ball is hit past the left-fielder. The 
ball is recovered by the left-fielder, and thrown to the centre-fielder, who has 
got in line with the throw in. Then the centre-fielder throws either to third 
base or home according to the directions of the short-stop, who has run out to- 
ward the centre-fielder, and is backing him up. The pitcher backs up third 
base, the first-basemen backs up the catcher, and the second-baseman covers 
second base. The right-fielder backs up second base. 

200 




DIAGRAM 



Showing a play being made after the ball is hit into deep left centre field. 
The ball is recovered by the centre-fielder, and is thrown to the left-fielder, who 
takes a position in line with the home-plate. The left-fielder throws either to 
third base or home according to the directions of the short-stop, who is backing 
up the left-fielder. The pitcher backs up third base, the first-baseman backs 
up home-base, the second-baseman covers second base, and the right-fielder backs 
up second base. 




DIAGRAM VI 



Showing a play being made after the ball is hit into deep right centre field. 
The centre-fielder recovers the ball and throws it to the right-fielder, who is in 
line with the throw home. Then the right-fielder throws either to third base or 
home according to directions from the second-baseman, who is backing up the 
right-fielder. The left-fielder and pitcher back up third base, and the short- 
Stop covers second base. The first-baseman backs up home-plate. 
201 




DIAGRAM VII 



Showing a play being made after the ball has been hit past the right-fielder. 
The right-fielder recovers the ball, and throws it to the centre-fielder, who has 
crossed over in line with the throw home. The centre-fielder throws either to 
third base or home according to the directions from the second-baseman, who is 
backing up the centre-fielder. The left-fielder backs up third base, pitcher backs 
up home, short-stop covers second. 




DIAGRAM VIII 



Showing a play being made to retire a runner between third base and home. 
The runner is on third base, the ball is hit to the second-baseman, who throws 
home and then covers second. The runner starts for home (dotted line x to x), 
but stops when he sees that he is caught (allowing the batter time to go to sec- 
ond). The third-baseman, to retire the runner between third and home, quickly 
follows the runner in, retiring him on one throw from the catcher; then the third- 
baseman throws to second to retire the batsman, who will be trying for that base. 




DIAGRAM IX. 

Showing the entire infield playing back. From these positions, the infielders 
are enabled to cover the maximum amount of ground on all kinds of hit balls. 
These positions should be assumed only when it is unnecessary to play for a 
runner at home, or to hold a runner close to the base. For detailed directions 
as to when to take these positions, see Chapter X on "Team Plays." There 
are occasions, even with a runner on third base, when it is advisable to assume 
the above positions. 




DIAGRAM X. 

Showing the entire infield playing in. In these positions the infielders are 
able to handle with great rapidity all ordinary balls hit directly at them, or 
nearly so, and therefore can readily shut off runs at the plate. Before assum- 
ing these positions, however, players should study carefully Chapter X on 
"Team Plays." The infielders should here gauge their distances from the home- 
plate by the hitting ability of the batter. Close in on a weak hitter — but be 
cautious before a slugger. 

203 






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DIAGRAM XL 

This diagram illustrates roughly the advantage in covering ground which the 
infielders have when playing back. By playing inside of the diamond, the in- 
fielders bring themselves within such close range of the batter, that after the 
ball is hit, they have little or no time to move to the right or left. While by 
playing well back and outside of the diamond, they are able to run several paces 
in either direction before the ordinary ball can get by them. Of course, balls 
hit on a line between fielders go for base-hits — no matter where they play. 




DIAGRAM XII. 



Showmg a play being made after a hit to the right-fielder (with a runner on 
first base). The right-fielder throws the ball to third base to head off the runner. 
The short-stop should get in line with the throw (about thirty feet from third 
base), and if the throw is one which will not catch the man at third — usually the 
third-baseman directs the short-stop here — the short-stop should intercept the 
ball and throw it to second to head the batter off there. The pitcher and left- 
fielder back up third base, the short-stop covers second, and the centre-fielder 
backs up second. 

204 




DIAGRAM XIII. 

A hit to left field. The dotted line illustrates what is meant by "making 
your turn at first base." By making your turn in this manner you save ground 
and time in getting to_ second should ball be fumbled. This is the correct way 
of running out base-hits and fly-balls. 




DIAGRAM XIV. 

A hit to left field. The dotted line shows the incorrect way of running out a 
base-hit. This illustrates the advantage of making your turn before reaching 
first base, as shown in Diagram XIII. 

205 



